Vehicle Problems by Make — NHTSA Complaints & Recalls
Browse owner-reported complaints and federal safety recalls for every major vehicle manufacturer. Data sourced directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — updated daily. Free, no signup.
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Browse Problems by Make
Select a manufacturer to view NHTSA recall history and owner complaint data for every model.
Browse by Vehicle Category
Jump straight to a vehicle type to find the most commonly reported problems.
Understanding NHTSA Complaints & Recalls
What are NHTSA complaints?
NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) maintains a public database of owner-filed safety complaints. Any driver can submit a complaint about a suspected defect. These complaints are used by NHTSA investigators to identify patterns that may trigger a formal safety investigation or recall order.
What is an NHTSA safety recall?
A safety recall is a formal action requiring a manufacturer to fix a defect at no charge to the vehicle owner. NHTSA can order a recall or manufacturers can initiate one voluntarily. Federal law requires the repair to be free regardless of the vehicle's age or mileage at the time of the recall.
Why does this data matter when buying a used car?
A vehicle with multiple open recalls or a high complaint volume is a red flag. Open recalls mean the safety defect has not been repaired — and the fix is still free. Checking NHTSA data before buying a used vehicle takes minutes and can reveal dangerous defects the seller may not disclose.
How to use this problems database
Select your vehicle's make from the grid above, then drill down to the specific model and year. Each model page shows NHTSA recalls, the most common complaint categories, injury counts, and crash-involved complaints. Pair the model-level view with a VIN-specific check for the most complete picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What car has the most recalls?▼
Ford vehicles — particularly the F-Series truck line — have the highest total NHTSA recall campaign count since 2010, largely due to the sheer volume of vehicles sold. General Motors combined brands rank second, followed by the FCA group (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM). High recall counts do not necessarily mean a vehicle is less safe today — what matters is whether open recalls have been repaired.
How do I check if my car has a recall?▼
Enter your 17-character VIN at VIN Check Engine for a free, instant lookup. Our tool queries the NHTSA database directly and shows all open and historical recall campaigns for your exact vehicle. You can also check recall.gov or call NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236. Recall repairs are always free through an authorized dealer.
What's the most complained about car?▼
Vehicles with CVT transmissions (Nissan Altima, Sentra, Rogue), models affected by the Takata airbag recall (Honda Accord, Civic), and high-volume sellers like the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado have the most NHTSA complaint filings by raw count. Complaint volume scales with fleet size — the more vehicles sold, the more complaints filed.
Are NHTSA complaints the same as recalls?▼
No. NHTSA complaints are owner-reported issues filed voluntarily and do not require any manufacturer action. Recalls are formal actions that mandate a free repair. However, complaint patterns are the primary early-warning system NHTSA uses to open investigations that lead to recalls. A high complaint volume for a specific component is often a leading indicator of a future recall.
Does a recall mean my car is dangerous to drive?▼
It depends on the recall. Some recalls address minor issues (label errors, software bugs) while others — particularly those involving airbag inflators, fuel system fire risk, or brake failures — are serious safety defects. NHTSA designates the most urgent recalls as 'Do Not Drive' situations. Always check the specific recall summary to understand the risk level.
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