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 14, 2021
When it rains or when getting a car wash, the windshield leaks water into car.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2020
The rain water leaking through windshield. It could cause rust in the frame, then cause the failure of whole structure. I checked the Volvo forums, seems there are many Volvo owners have similar issues. I owned other cars, it’s the first time I had leaking water through perimeter of windshield.
Incident date: Aug 10, 2021
Brakes continue to malfunction & I am having to replace brakes & rotors each time at approximately 25k mile intervals. Local dealership in Baton Rouge Louisiana & Lafayette Louisiana continue diminish my concerns and state this in normal wear for this vehicle. i am certain this not the case.
Incident date: Aug 3, 2021
After buying the vehicle on 7/9/21, the car started having problems with the cooling system. I took it to a repair shop and they said the cooling system was overfilled. The air problem continued. I took it back to the dealership who said they fixed it but it continued. I contacted the prior Manufactuer service center who informed me the computer chip was recommended to be replaced when the dealer ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 3, 2021
After buying the vehicle on 7/9/21, the car started having problems with the cooling system. I took it to a repair shop and they said the cooling system was overfilled. The air problem continued. I took it back to the dealership who said they fixed it but it continued. I contacted the prior Manufactuer service center who informed me the computer chip was recommended to be replaced when the dealer ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 3, 2021
After buying the vehicle on 7/9/21, the car started having problems with the cooling system. I took it to a repair shop and they said the cooling system was overfilled. The air problem continued. I took it back to the dealership who said they fixed it but it continued. I contacted the prior Manufactuer service center who informed me the computer chip was recommended to be replaced when the dealer ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC90. The contact stated there was an abnormal odor of fuel detected in the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. The contact stated the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign number 09V483000 (F... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 VOLVO XC90. The contact stated that while her foot was on the brake pedal and while talking with a friend outside her vehicle, she had decided to place the vehicle into park. After approximately 8-10 minutes, the vehicle independently accelerated forward without warning and crashed into her friend's garage door. The air bags deployed immediately upon impact. An automatic sa... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 VOLVO XC90. The contact stated that while her foot was on the brake pedal and while talking with a friend outside her vehicle, she had decided to place the vehicle into park. After approximately 8-10 minutes, the vehicle independently accelerated forward without warning and crashed into her friend's garage door. The air bags deployed immediately upon impact. An automatic sa... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: May 7, 2021
My volvo windshield started leaking from the top seal. When it rains water runs down the entire inside of the front windshield.
Incident date: Aug 3, 2021
On 8/3/21 I had an accident in my brand new 2021 xc40. I lightly tapped on the accelerator to close in a gap as I came to a stop at a red light. The vehicle jumped forward as though I floored the accelerator, though again, it was a slight tap. I rear-ended the car in front of me. There was no forward collision warning, no mitigation by the vehicle applying the brakes, nothing. The vehicle is suppo... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 3, 2021
On 8/3/21 I had an accident in my brand new 2021 xc40. I lightly tapped on the accelerator to close in a gap as I came to a stop at a red light. The vehicle jumped forward as though I floored the accelerator, though again, it was a slight tap. I rear-ended the car in front of me. There was no forward collision warning, no mitigation by the vehicle applying the brakes, nothing. The vehicle is suppo... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 3, 2020
Case Number in Volvo System 210611-000605 For malfunctioning of mirror and obstruction of vision of oncoming vehicles on the driver side of the vehicle. Mirror reset itself in a different position randomly and unaware that this has happened the driver is not prepared to react to the no vision to the side of the vehicle that may be occur when merging or turn in the direction of on highway ramp ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2020
Case Number in Volvo System 210611-000605 For malfunctioning of mirror and obstruction of vision of oncoming vehicles on the driver side of the vehicle. Mirror reset itself in a different position randomly and unaware that this has happened the driver is not prepared to react to the no vision to the side of the vehicle that may be occur when merging or turn in the direction of on highway ramp ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2020
Case Number in Volvo System 210611-000605 For malfunctioning of mirror and obstruction of vision of oncoming vehicles on the driver side of the vehicle. Mirror reset itself in a different position randomly and unaware that this has happened the driver is not prepared to react to the no vision to the side of the vehicle that may be occur when merging or turn in the direction of on highway ramp ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 23, 2021
The ETM is acting up for no reason available
Incident date: Jul 29, 2021
1. Low beam headlights failed - both at the same time, resulting in high beam only driving at night. Units available for inspection. 2. Yes. No low beam headlights. Upon inspection of wiring, during replacement of low beams, headlight wiring insulation found to be flaking off, exposing bare wiring. 3. Unknown. Found no information in Google search. Plenty of information on others having same issue... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and parked on the side of the road and turned off the vehicle but it was unable to be restarted. The contact stated the vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact ass... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 5 MPH, the vehicle shut-off without warning. The contact stated that the electrical features ceased to operate in the vehicle. The contact stated that his wife was unable to activate the hazard lights. The contact's wife was unable to exit the vehicle as her driver’s side door would not unlock. His wife was fo... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2021
I had the car about 3 months from a dealership. I was driving through the hills near my house, at first no problem. After about 4 turns or so this red light would come on saying something like low oil pressure and the car would stall a bit til I was out of the turn. Didn’t say anything about needing oil or anything. I would have gone straight to a gas station had there been one. My only option w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2018
The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the odometer would go black. The contact stated that the electrical system of the vehicle would fail causing all of the functions to start flashing, the brakes to stutter, and the transmission to fail. The contact stated no warning lights would be illuminated as the control panel would go black. The vehicle was ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2021
WATER COLLECTS IN THE DRIVER SIDE FOOTWELL AFTER EVERY RAIN. WHILE DRIVING DURING RAINS, WATER LEAKS FROM (1) DRIVER SIDE TOP LEFT CORNER (2) "A" PILLAR AND (3) LOWER LEFT CORNER OF DASHBOARD AT EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE. TOOK XC60 TO LOCAL VOLVO DEALER WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WAS PULLED AND RESET. FRONT FLOOR CARPETS WERE PULLED, FAN-DRIED AND REINSTALLED. VOLVO WAIVED THE CHARGE FOR WINDSHIELD RE... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2021
Driver side door latch does not lock. It seems secure but one latch does not move. Warning light comes on. I’m concerned about driving it
Incident date: Jul 13, 2021
I had a 2008 volvo s60 and now i have a 2013 volvo s60. And the same exact thing happened with both of them. Both cars had more than half a tank of gas and while driving on the freeway they started to stutter and then the car just shut off while i was driving. I was lucky to be close to an exit and i had to let the car role on nuetral till i was safe away from any traffic. If i want close to an ex... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2021
I was driving on my way back home. When my car started to knock. As I was slowing down to pull over. My oil pressure light came on. Granted, the reason was unknown. I had just recently checked the oil level. I got out to check the dipstick to find smoke coming out where the dipstick was. Curious as I was, I had no oil which left me puzzled. After some research, I found that my car had a recall on ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2021
I was driving on my way back home. When my car started to knock. As I was slowing down to pull over. My oil pressure light came on. Granted, the reason was unknown. I had just recently checked the oil level. I got out to check the dipstick to find smoke coming out where the dipstick was. Curious as I was, I had no oil which left me puzzled. After some research, I found that my car had a recall on ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2021
On two occasions the automatic breaking/city safety engaged on my Volvo XC60 2021 vehicle. In both incidences there was no need for this to happen. First incident (o/a June 25, 2021) occurred while changing lanes. There was traffic but said traffic was a safe distance in front of me. I was startled by the immediate hard stop breaking and safety belts tightening around me. No accident occurred. Onl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2021
The windshield leaks in rain.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2021
Ran into a pole due to a-pillar blind spot, right side of vehicle. No warnings prior to incident.
Crash
Incident date: May 1, 2021
The front windshield is leaking, such that the driver's side front and rear floors flood, even with a light rain. Enough water comes in that the padding, carpet, floor mat and rubber floors mat are all under water. When it rains, we see water droplets and water trails on the inside of the windshield. The windshield is original and has never been replaced. We've never had a car that leaked like... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2021
Noticed rain entering car from front windshield on the driver's side. Car was taken to an auto glass company thinking it was a seal. The technician showed me that there was no seal on the top of the windshield. He informed me that if I pushed the top of the windshield up I could confirm the seal was broken. He suggested I take it to the dealer ship because this was not a new issue. When I took ... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2021
Within 2-3 weeks of owning the vehicle, my main two screens on the dashboard intermittently changed colors with important information not being visible or the screen went black completely while driving. I took it back to the dealership where I was informed another car of the same make & model was doing the same thing. My car was kept for a week and a half while they were in touch with Volvo. Vol... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2021
Volvo arrived at the hiking trailhead parking lot at approximately 10 miles an hour, slowed down more to select parking space then turn right into space in front of a cement outhouse. Space had a cement parking block. As the car was about to come to a complete stop in the space, it suddenly accelerated on its own as if the accelerator was press all the way overcoming the cement block and crashin... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 27, 2021
Volvo arrived at the hiking trailhead parking lot at approximately 10 miles an hour, slowed down more to select parking space then turn right into space in front of a cement outhouse. Space had a cement parking block. As the car was about to come to a complete stop in the space, it suddenly accelerated on its own as if the accelerator was press all the way overcoming the cement block and crashin... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 23, 2021
This is to describe airbag injuries. My car performed well. If not for the airbag and good construction of this Volvo I would not be here to ask for your help. I am wondering why we still use explosive materials and a device that causes so many injuries. There has to be another device to absorb the force of impact than an explosive device that injures, maim, and can kill people. I want to send... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 15, 2014
The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the instrument panel malfunctioned and failed to illuminate while driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of an electrical failure that ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2014
The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the instrument panel malfunctioned and failed to illuminate while driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of an electrical failure that ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2014
The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the instrument panel malfunctioned and failed to illuminate while driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of an electrical failure that ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2021
My left front door failed to open using the outside handle. I have tried unsuccessfully to fix the problem by removing the inside door panel, the door window, and the surrounding hardware and electrical components. I contend that this is a safety hazard because a)a rescuer would fail to get the driver out of the vehicle in case of an accident and b)the door could open while driving because the l... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2021
EXCESSIVE RUST IS FORMING ON MY FRONT SUBFRAME AND IN SOME PLACES HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. SMALL PERFERATIONS WERE NOTICED AT REPAIR FACILITY AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. IT CANNOT BE WELDED/REPAIRED. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2007-2010 VOLVO S80 V8 WHICH VOLVO REFUSES TO RECALL AND WILL BE AN EXTREMELY COSTLY REPAIR. IT ALSO MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE SHOULD ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2021
There appeared a crack on the passenger side of the car when making a turn onto a expressway ramp. There were no vehicles in front of me to kick up any road debris. I went to the Volvo dealer and the service manager dragged a ball point pen across the crack and said it was hit by something. I could not see any sign of something hitting my car. I am concerned that if something did hit the windshiel... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2020
is been stolen form my home and trying to fine it
Incident date: Nov 20, 2020
is been stolen form my home and trying to fine it
Incident date: Nov 20, 2020
is been stolen form my home and trying to fine it
Incident date: Jun 20, 2021
I turned the car on and got an error message that said the turn indicator system failed. After trying to clear the message from the dash using the button on the steering wheel, I discovered that nothing on the steering wheel was working, including the windshield wipers or any buttons on the steering wheel. I called the manufacturer and they told me not to drive it and they towed it to the dealer... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2021
I turned the car on and got an error message that said the turn indicator system failed. After trying to clear the message from the dash using the button on the steering wheel, I discovered that nothing on the steering wheel was working, including the windshield wipers or any buttons on the steering wheel. I called the manufacturer and they told me not to drive it and they towed it to the dealer... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2021
I turned the car on and got an error message that said the turn indicator system failed. After trying to clear the message from the dash using the button on the steering wheel, I discovered that nothing on the steering wheel was working, including the windshield wipers or any buttons on the steering wheel. I called the manufacturer and they told me not to drive it and they towed it to the dealer... Read more