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: Jan 5, 2022
Windshield seal developed leak. Water go into hvac shorting out system. No defrost, sever visibility and safety issue. Have seen numerous other volvo owners with similar windshield gasket seal leaks. Car is useless as visibility issue persists
Incident date: Mar 11, 2022
There is an open recall for certain 2016 XC 90s related to cracks in the coolant pipes. My vin doesn’t have a recall attached but in the last 2.5 years I have owned the vehicle I have had to change this part 2 times. I feel my vin/vehicle should be part of the recall. My local dealer is not willing to assist nor Volvo Customer Service.
Incident date: Mar 11, 2022
There is an open recall for certain 2016 XC 90s related to cracks in the coolant pipes. My vin doesn’t have a recall attached but in the last 2.5 years I have owned the vehicle I have had to change this part 2 times. I feel my vin/vehicle should be part of the recall. My local dealer is not willing to assist nor Volvo Customer Service.
Incident date: Mar 7, 2022
Fuel pump seal leak/ flange broke. Smelled gas, saw a puddle under the car. Upon fuel pump inspection a failed repair combined with original broken seal flange. We live in a state where the recall was not listed so our next step is to contact volvo.
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
The issue is with the windshields separating from the bonding agent ( not sealing ) it is cause for a safety issue not only because it is loose and can move when pushed up , but water is entering the vehicle through the top part of the windshield and entering the electrical controls for the lights and sun roof causing a potential short or shock hazard, not to mention ruining the interior of the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
The issue is with the windshields separating from the bonding agent ( not sealing ) it is cause for a safety issue not only because it is loose and can move when pushed up , but water is entering the vehicle through the top part of the windshield and entering the electrical controls for the lights and sun roof causing a potential short or shock hazard, not to mention ruining the interior of the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
The issue is with the windshields separating from the bonding agent ( not sealing ) it is cause for a safety issue not only because it is loose and can move when pushed up , but water is entering the vehicle through the top part of the windshield and entering the electrical controls for the lights and sun roof causing a potential short or shock hazard, not to mention ruining the interior of the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
VEHICLE 2008 VOLVO C70 HARDTOP CONVERTIBLE. Doors randomly unlatch/open while the vehicle is in motion. This occurs on both the drivers side and passengers side doors during vehicle operation in drive. It has occurred numerous times while driving on straight flat non bump roads and in roundabouts, while cornering. It is a serious safety issue. It occurs when the top is up and when the top is ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2021
Engine oil Level decreases rapidly, this can cause the engine to burn up and possibly catch file or lock the engine. Dealer has started oil consumption test.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2021
The contact owns a 2003 Volvo S80. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V766000 (Air Bags). The dealer had been notified about the recall and an appointment was made for the recall repair. The contact then received a call that the appointment was cancelled due to parts not yet being available. The manufacturer was also notified of the recall and also stated that parts w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Volvo S60. The contact stated while entering her vehicle, the sunroof glass detached from the sunroof frame and the glass shattered. The contact was cut from the shattered glass but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,427.
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag and check engine warning lights intermittently illuminated. Additionally, the message "Pullover Engine Overheating" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that failure was caused by the drain hose for the air conditioning leaking into the passenger’s side compartme... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag and check engine warning lights intermittently illuminated. Additionally, the message "Pullover Engine Overheating" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that failure was caused by the drain hose for the air conditioning leaking into the passenger’s side compartme... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that upon start of her vehicle, the parking brake message and a yellow flashing brake light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where they informed her that a wire connected to the parking brake was detached and need to be replaced. The contact was given an estimate for the repair and the wire was repla... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2022
I need new rear brakes and rotors at 26,296. I have leased cars for the past twenty plus years and never had to replace brakes/rotors after a year and a half.
Incident date: Feb 25, 2022
While driving the vehicle the "SRS Airbag" warning light comes on, I took the vehicle to the dealership which indicated the "seat harness" would need to be replaced. The seat harness has a integrated chip to alert the airbags to work properly. Volvo has had previously recalls for this issue on 2016 XC 90 vehicles but my VIN isn't included in the recall, I feel they need to expand the recall knowin... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2022
While driving the vehicle the "SRS Airbag" warning light comes on, I took the vehicle to the dealership which indicated the "seat harness" would need to be replaced. The seat harness has a integrated chip to alert the airbags to work properly. Volvo has had previously recalls for this issue on 2016 XC 90 vehicles but my VIN isn't included in the recall, I feel they need to expand the recall knowin... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2022
While driving the vehicle the "SRS Airbag" warning light comes on, I took the vehicle to the dealership which indicated the "seat harness" would need to be replaced. The seat harness has a integrated chip to alert the airbags to work properly. Volvo has had previously recalls for this issue on 2016 XC 90 vehicles but my VIN isn't included in the recall, I feel they need to expand the recall knowin... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
This has happened multiple times on the highway going 60 mph. And at slow speeds, last time on an entrance ramp onto the highway. The vehicle will shut off, as if the key has been turned off. But it hasn't been touched. Steering becomes difficult and I have to try and get off the road. Once I get pulled over and put it in park, it will start and run normally for a time. It most often happens wh... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Volvo VNL-860. The contact stated that her husband was driving at 65 MPH and towing a 53-foot trailer, and the steering wheel would overcompensate while making adjustment, left or right to stay centered in lane. The failure lead to constant steering adjustments. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
Driving down the interstate in rush hour at 30 mph, the entire entertainment system as well as the dashboard went black and went through a system restart. The dashboard, including spedometer and related controls were black and unusable for approximately 10 seconds. Approximately 3 minutes later, the system reboot again and all visual aids were unusable for 10 seconds or so.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
On December 1, 2021 I was driving my 2012 Volvo S60 T5, that I purchased 3/2021 with 99,489 miles on it, on the highway and it stalled without warning after almost crashing. There were no warning alerts or check engine light that came on the dashboard and the car had 1,000 miles until the next oil change. After browsing the internet, we realized that the car had a recall because their vehicles wer... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
Sub frame cracking due to rust.
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that the check engine warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
Wipers continually run. Headlights will not flip to high beam at times.
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
Wipers continually run. Headlights will not flip to high beam at times.
Incident date: Feb 9, 2022
Wipers continually run. Headlights will not flip to high beam at times.
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
Complete power failure of the vehicle. Inability to start or move the car. Car cannot be locked, wheels are locked, no power to the vehicle
Incident date: Jan 31, 2022
Almost once a month my car with think there is something in front of it and activate the emergency brakes. It causes huge strain to the brakes and almost makes me crash and puts the people in front of me and behind me at risk. I've turned the setting to a lower sensitivity to try to avoid this but it doesn't matter. The car does the worst on turns as well and thinks cars in the opposite lanes whil... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2022
Almost once a month my car with think there is something in front of it and activate the emergency brakes. It causes huge strain to the brakes and almost makes me crash and puts the people in front of me and behind me at risk. I've turned the setting to a lower sensitivity to try to avoid this but it doesn't matter. The car does the worst on turns as well and thinks cars in the opposite lanes whil... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2022
Almost once a month my car with think there is something in front of it and activate the emergency brakes. It causes huge strain to the brakes and almost makes me crash and puts the people in front of me and behind me at risk. I've turned the setting to a lower sensitivity to try to avoid this but it doesn't matter. The car does the worst on turns as well and thinks cars in the opposite lanes whil... Read more
Incident date: Feb 23, 2022
My XC40 has 24, 500 miles on it, and it has already had three sets of brake rotors replaced. The dealership reported "warped rotors" on my front brake rotors in the summer of 2021 at 15,000 miles and replaced them. Now at 24,500 miles, both the front and rear rotors were again "warped" and replaced by the dealership noting that the "rotors had pad transfer marks".
Incident date: Feb 23, 2022
Today, my Sensus in the center console, as well as my instrument panel that shows the map between the gauges, went black and switched my drive mode out of ECO, shutting off my adaptive cruise control. Rebooted 2 times before becoming stable. I have a video, but your system doesn't allow me to upload the file type
Incident date: Feb 23, 2022
Today, my Sensus in the center console, as well as my instrument panel that shows the map between the gauges, went black and switched my drive mode out of ECO, shutting off my adaptive cruise control. Rebooted 2 times before becoming stable. I have a video, but your system doesn't allow me to upload the file type
Incident date: Feb 23, 2022
Today, my Sensus in the center console, as well as my instrument panel that shows the map between the gauges, went black and switched my drive mode out of ECO, shutting off my adaptive cruise control. Rebooted 2 times before becoming stable. I have a video, but your system doesn't allow me to upload the file type
Incident date: Feb 7, 2022
While driving on the inside lane next to the median of a 4-lane road and without warning or any other vehicles in my vicinity, any debris or objects in the road, and while I was maintaining the vehicle in my lane, the car swerved to the right. It felt as though someone in the passenger seat (I was alone) grabbed the steering wheel and forcefully yanked it to the right. At this time the words Colli... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2022
While driving on the inside lane next to the median of a 4-lane road and without warning or any other vehicles in my vicinity, any debris or objects in the road, and while I was maintaining the vehicle in my lane, the car swerved to the right. It felt as though someone in the passenger seat (I was alone) grabbed the steering wheel and forcefully yanked it to the right. At this time the words Colli... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2021
2 incidents occurred during the week of Christmas (1 before and 1 after) in which the Rear Auto Brake engaged without warning or provocation. There were 0 obstacles, vehicles, or persons in the vicinity which would have required an alert or braking. The 1st occurred in a parking lot and the 2nd occurred when backing out of a private garage. In each instance, another adult aside from the driver wit... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2021
2 incidents occurred during the week of Christmas (1 before and 1 after) in which the Rear Auto Brake engaged without warning or provocation. There were 0 obstacles, vehicles, or persons in the vicinity which would have required an alert or braking. The 1st occurred in a parking lot and the 2nd occurred when backing out of a private garage. In each instance, another adult aside from the driver wit... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that she received NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V378000 (Seat Belts). The contact stated the vehicle was taken to a dealer for routine maintenance where she requested to have the recall remedy completed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact said she received a follow-up letter from the manufacturer that said her vehicle had not had the re... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2021
I have a 2012 S60R. I just received the recall notice for the front seat belts last week. In September of 2021, the warning light on the dash board intermittently comes on with a warning sound stating that my rear seat belt is not in use. This happens while starting the car and driving. There are no passengers riding in the rear seats of my car when this happens. I have tried to fasten the rear se... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2021
The door lock actuators were poorly designed, allowing water intrusion. This causes the actuator to rust and freeze up making it impossible to unlock the door and open it from the inside or outside. There was no warning about this, it just stopped working one day. If someone had been in the backseat when it stopped working they would have had to crawl across to the other side to get out. What if... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The stock oem windshield has come away from the body. This a common on-going issue with p3 volvos. My car leaks water into the cabin. It is dangerous not having a windshield glued down to the body.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The stock oem windshield has come away from the body. This a common on-going issue with p3 volvos. My car leaks water into the cabin. It is dangerous not having a windshield glued down to the body.
Incident date: Feb 17, 2022
When Pilot Assist's steering assistance is unable to keep the car in the lane, it will disengage without any audible warning nor visual warning (screen flash, popup message,...). The only indication is the 3/4" steering wheel icon at the bottom left of the instrument cluster, changes color from green to grey. It has been behaving this way since the day I purchased the car in early 2018 and contin... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2022
Today my Sensus in the center console as well as instrument panel that shows the map between the gauges went black and switched my drive mode out of ECO, shutting off my cruise cintrol and turned off my Bluetooth phone call. Rebooted 3 times before becoming stable. This is unsafe and very dangerous. They just did a software update while it was in the dealership recently fixing an unrelated issue f... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2022
Today my Sensus in the center console as well as instrument panel that shows the map between the gauges went black and switched my drive mode out of ECO, shutting off my cruise cintrol and turned off my Bluetooth phone call. Rebooted 3 times before becoming stable. This is unsafe and very dangerous. They just did a software update while it was in the dealership recently fixing an unrelated issue f... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2022
Today my Sensus in the center console as well as instrument panel that shows the map between the gauges went black and switched my drive mode out of ECO, shutting off my cruise cintrol and turned off my Bluetooth phone call. Rebooted 3 times before becoming stable. This is unsafe and very dangerous. They just did a software update while it was in the dealership recently fixing an unrelated issue f... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2022
My wife and I were driving to BWI airport for a 10:30am flight from Virginia Beach in the Express Lane on I-95N going 75mph when all of a sudden at 8:30am the engine seized and I got a message telling me I would experience "Reduced Engine Performance" as my car puttered to a stop with white smoke pouring out of the exhaust. Prior to this message I had no warnings or messages on my dashboard. I got... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2022
My wife and I were driving to BWI airport for a 10:30am flight from Virginia Beach in the Express Lane on I-95N going 75mph when all of a sudden at 8:30am the engine seized and I got a message telling me I would experience "Reduced Engine Performance" as my car puttered to a stop with white smoke pouring out of the exhaust. Prior to this message I had no warnings or messages on my dashboard. I got... Read more