How to file a vehicle safety complaint with NHTSA

You can file a vehicle safety complaint with NHTSA online at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem or by calling 1-888-327-4236. It is free and takes about 15 minutes. Complaints are one of the main ways NHTSA spots defects that lead to recalls, so a clear report really can make a difference.

Why your complaint matters

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation reviews owner complaints, looking for patterns. When many owners describe the same failure in the same model, that can lead to an investigation and, in many cases, a recall. Read how recalls work for the full process.

A single complaint rarely triggers a recall on its own. But every pattern is made of single complaints. If you had a safety problem and do not report it, the pattern is weaker.

Complaints are also published, with personal details removed, so other owners and buyers can see them. You can read recent ones on our complaints page, or for one model, such as 2015 Ford F-150 transmission complaints.

What counts as a safety problem

Report anything that affected, or could affect, your ability to drive safely or protect you in a crash. For example:

• the engine stalling or losing power while driving
• the transmission slipping, jerking or failing to engage
• brakes that feel soft, pull or fail
• steering that becomes heavy or locks
• airbags or seat belts that do not work properly
• sudden braking or acceleration with no reason
• fire, smoke or burning smells
• lights, wipers or defrosters failing
• tire failures, including tread separation

Problems that are only about cost, comfort or appearance are not safety complaints, though they may still be worth raising with the manufacturer.

Before you start: gather the details

• Your 17-character VIN (see how to read a VIN)
• The date the problem happened and the mileage at the time
• What you were doing: speed, road type, weather, braking, turning
• What the vehicle did, in order, and any warning lights or messages
• Whether there was a crash, fire or injury
• Dealer visits, repair orders and what was found or replaced
• Photos or video, if you have them

How to file

1. Go to the official form. Use nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. If you prefer, call the Vehicle Safety Hotline on 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).
2. Choose the type of problem. Vehicles, tires, child car seats and other equipment each have their own path.
3. Enter your VIN. This links the complaint to your exact vehicle.
4. Pick the components involved. Choose the closest match, such as power train, service brakes or air bags. You can usually pick more than one.
5. Describe what happened. Use your notes. See the tips below.
6. Add your contact details and submit. NHTSA uses them if an investigator wants to follow up. They are not published.

How to write a complaint that counts

Investigators read a lot of complaints. The useful ones are specific and factual.

Tips:

• Describe what happened, not what you think caused it, unless a technician told you.
• Say whether it has happened more than once, and how often.
• Mention what the dealer did, and whether it fixed the problem.
• Leave out names, phone numbers and other personal details. The narrative may be published.

What happens next

• You get a confirmation. Keep the reference number.
• It is reviewed. ODI staff screen complaints and look for trends across vehicles.
• It is published. The complaint appears in NHTSA's public database without your name or contact details. Only the first 11 characters of the VIN are shown, which identify the model but not your exact vehicle. Our site shows these complaints too, on each vehicle's page.
• You may be contacted. If your complaint is relevant to an investigation, an investigator may get in touch.

NHTSA does not usually respond to each complaint individually, and it cannot order a repair for one vehicle or settle a dispute with a dealer. For that, see lemon laws and goodwill repairs.

Tell the manufacturer too

NHTSA complaints are separate from the manufacturer. Call the manufacturer's customer service line, describe the problem and ask for a case number. This puts the problem on record with them and can help later if you ask for a goodwill repair or make a lemon law claim.

Share it with other owners

An NHTSA complaint is the official route, and it is the one that can lead to a recall. Sharing your experience on this site is different: it helps other owners and shoppers see what living with that vehicle is really like, including repair costs and how the dealer handled it. Please do both. Share your experience here, and check what others have said about your vehicle with our VIN check.

Questions and answers