If your car has a problem you think puts you at risk, such as stalling, false braking, steering failure or a fire, you can report it to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is free, takes about ten minutes and goes into the same public database that every model page on this site is built from.
Why it matters
Regulators review complaints to spot patterns. When enough owners report the same problem, the agency can open an investigation, and investigations often end in a recall. Many of the recalls listed on our year pages began with owner complaints. A single complaint will not trigger action, but every one adds to the count.
How to file
- Go to nhtsa.gov and choose “Report a Safety Problem”.
- Enter the VIN. This fills in the make, model and year and ties your report to the right vehicle.
- Choose the parts involved, such as engine, steering or air bags. Pick all that apply.
- Describe what happened.
- Add any crash, injury or fire details, and the mileage when it happened.
- Submit. You will get a confirmation number.
What to include in your description
Clear, specific reports are the most useful. Try to cover:
- What happened: “The car braked hard at 55 mph with no vehicle or object ahead.”
- When and where: speed, road type, weather, time of day.
- How often: once, or every time in certain conditions.
- What the dealer said: any diagnosis, codes, bulletin numbers or repairs.
- Mileage at the time.
Avoid personal details in the description, as the text is made public with names and contact details removed.
What happens next
You will not usually get a personal reply. Your complaint is added to the database, reviewed and grouped with similar reports. If the agency opens an investigation, it is posted publicly. The agency may contact you for more detail.
Other places to report
- The carmaker’s customer care line. Keep a case number. This creates a record that can help with goodwill repairs later.
- The dealer. Ask them to document your concern on the repair order, even if they cannot find a fault.
- Your state’s consumer protection office if you think you bought a lemon. See lemon law basics.
Questions
Can I file about a used car I just bought? Yes. Anyone who owns or drives the car can file.
Can I see other owners’ complaints? Yes. The database is public. Our model and year pages summarize it, showing the most common complaints for each year.