How Do I Report a Vehicle Safety Problem?

If you believe your car, tires, car seat or other equipment has a safety defect, you can tell the federal government directly. Owner reports are one of the main ways NHTSA learns about problems. This answer explains what to report, how the process works after you file, and how to make your report useful.

What counts as a safety problem

NHTSA asks for complaints about vehicle, tire, car seat or equipment problems that could be a safety defect, and says it carefully reviews every one it receives. ^[NHTSA] Examples drawn from NHTSA’s own guidance include:

• An air bag that failed to deploy in a crash that caused injury. NHTSA specifically asks that these be reported to its Office of Defects Investigation. ^{[NHTSA air bags]}
• A tire safety problem. NHTSA invites owners to search tire recalls and report tire complaints. ^{[NHTSA tires]}
• Suspected counterfeit or substandard replacement air bags. NHTSA has warned these can fail to deploy or expel metal fragments. ^{[NHTSA air bags]}

Routine wear, such as brake pads wearing down at a normal rate, is maintenance, not a defect.

Before you file: gather the facts

1. Your VIN. It’s the 17-character number at the lower left of the windshield and on your registration. ^[NHTSA]
2. What happened, in order: speed, road conditions, warning lights, sounds, and what the vehicle did.
3. Mileage when it happened, plus the date and location.
4. Repair records, including any shop diagnosis.
5. Photos or video, if you have them.

Run a recall lookup first. If an open recall already covers your problem, the fix is a free dealer repair. ^[NHTSA]

What happens after you file

Your complaint is added to a public NHTSA database after personally identifying information is removed. If NHTSA receives similar reports from a number of people about the same product, that can indicate a safety-related defect that warrants an investigation. ^[NHTSA]

NHTSA’s process then follows four stages: screening complaints and other information, analyzing petitions (denials are published in the Federal Register with reasons), investigating, and finally recall management, which means monitoring how recalls are communicated and completed. ^[NHTSA] An investigation closes either with a recall recommendation to the manufacturer or with no safety-related defect found. ^[NHTSA]

Why your report matters even if nothing happens right away

One report alone rarely shows a pattern. Patterns are built from many reports, and each accurate, detailed complaint makes it easier for investigators to spot one. Because the database is public with personal details removed, other owners researching the same symptom can also find your report. ^[NHTSA]

Tips for a useful complaint

• Stick to what you observed. Separate facts (“the brake pedal went to the floor at 30 mph”) from guesses about the cause.
• Name the component if a technician identified it.
• Say whether the problem repeated, and how often.
• Mention any warning lights and whether they stayed on.
• Keep a copy for your records.

Stay informed afterward

Register your vehicle, tires, car seats and equipment with their manufacturers so you get recall notices by mail, and check NHTSA’s lookup twice a year. ^[NHTSA] Manufacturers must notify registered owners within 60 days of telling NHTSA about a recall decision. ^[NHTSA]

Keep the car safe in the meantime

Filing a complaint doesn’t fix anything on your car. If you suspect a safety problem, especially with brakes, steering, tires or air bags, have the vehicle inspected before you rely on it. A shop can document the condition, and that documentation strengthens both your complaint and any later warranty or recall claim.

If you’re not sure it’s a defect

You don’t have to be certain. NHTSA asks for reports of problems that could be a safety defect and reviews each one. Describe what you saw honestly, including what you don’t know, and let investigators look for patterns. A short, accurate report is more helpful than a long one full of guesses.

Talking with the manufacturer and your shop

Filing with NHTSA doesn’t stop you from contacting the manufacturer’s customer line or your dealer, too. Many owners do both. When you call, have your VIN, mileage and a short written timeline ready, and ask for a case or reference number. Write down who you spoke with and when. If an independent shop has inspected the car, ask for the findings in writing. Clear documentation keeps every conversation calm and factual, and it shows you’ve done your part. Most importantly, look after yourself. A frightening moment on the road takes a toll, and it’s fine to take a day before dealing with the paperwork once the car is safely parked.

Calm next steps

1. First, make sure you and the car are safe. Have it inspected before relying on it.
2. Gather your VIN, the date, mileage and a short description of what happened.
3. Check for an existing recall on your VIN.
4. File the complaint with NHTSA and keep a copy.
5. Keep repair records together in one folder.

Frequently asked questions

Is my complaint public?

Complaints go into a public NHTSA database after personally identifying information is removed. ^[NHTSA]

Can one complaint cause a recall?

Similar reports from many people about the same product can indicate a defect and lead to an investigation, which may end in a recall recommendation. ^[NHTSA]

Should I report an air bag that didn't deploy?

NHTSA says any air bag that fails to deploy in an injury-producing crash should be reported to its Office of Defects Investigation. ^{[NHTSA air bags]}

Related reading

• Check Engine Light On: Straight Answers
• How Car Recalls Work and How to Check Yours
• TPMS Light On? What It Means and What to Do
• TSB vs Recall: What's the Difference?
• Ask a question

Sources

1. https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
2. https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/air-bags
3. https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/tires

General education, not a diagnosis. See our disclaimer.