How Do I File a Safety Complaint About a Defective Car?

Your vehicle should be safe to drive. It should not have defects that put you and your family at risk. If you experience safety defects, you can report them to the NHTSA for investigation. The NHTSA can issue a safety recall to get your defective car repaired or replaced.

We provide a step-by-step guide on how to file a safety complaint about a defective car, truck, or SUV. For more information about your legal options, talk to a local motor vehicle defect lawyer.

Why Reporting Defective Cars Is Important

Reporting vehicle safety defects is important to help keep your family and others safe on the road. Many drivers think problems with their cars and trucks are single events. However, they could be related to design defects or manufacturing problems in millions of vehicles. Reporting safety hazards can alert government agencies to dangerous defects.

Consumer protection agencies rely on consumer reports to alert them about safety issues. This starts the investigation process and leads to recalls, keeping dangerous cars off the road. It’s also a way for you to document the problem if you need to take legal action. A product defect lawsuit can help you get compensation for injuries caused by the defective vehicle.

File a Complaint With the NHTSA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for vehicle safety investigations. The NHTSA is the federal agency responsible for keeping people safe on roads across the country. The NHTSA’s responsibility includes making sure vehicles meet safety standards.

The NHTSA handles consumer safety reports about defective cars, motorcycles, and safety equipment. Safety-related defects pose a threat to vehicle safety and could increase the risk of an accident or injury. If defects make your vehicle unsafe, the NHTSA can investigate complaints and initiate safety recalls.

Step-by-Step Guide To Filing a Safety Complaint

The quickest way to file a safety complaint about a defective vehicle is to report the safety problem online. You can file a report through the NHTSA’s online vehicle complaint form. There are separate reporting forms for defective car seats, tires, and other vehicle equipment.

You start by entering your vehicle identification number (VIN). This is a unique number associated with a car, truck, or SUV. You can find the 17-character number on the inside of the driver’s side dashboard or inside the driver’s door post. It should also be on your vehicle title, registration, and insurance card.

Then, enter as much detailed information as you can about the safety incident. Incident information includes:

• Date of the incident
• Road and weather conditions
• Vehicle mileage
• Speed at the time of the accident
• Any crashes or fires
• Any injuries or fatalities
• Deployed airbags
• Description of the incident

You’ll also need to enter your contact information. Your personal information will help the NHTSA contact you for more information about the safety investigation.

Vehicle Safety Hotline

You can report safety issues to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Vehicle Safety Hotline. You can call toll-free from anywhere in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to report complaints in English or Spanish at:

888-327-4236, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm ET
Hearing Impaired (TTY): 888-275-9171

Report a Safety Complaint by Mail

You can print out the safety complaint form and send it by mail. To report a safety complaint to NHTSA by mail, send your letter to:

U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Office of Defects Investigation (NVS-210)
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590

Information Needed to File a Complaint

When you make your complaint, gather all the information necessary to make an informed complaint. Reporting information includes:

• Your contact information (for follow-up questions)
• Vehicle make and model
• Vehicle model year
• Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Detailed report of the safety complaint
• Photos
• Any police or accident reports
• Vehicle repair invoices

Vehicle Safety Investigation Process

The NHTSA gets safety complaints reported by mail, phone, or online. If it needs to further analyze the complaint, it will refer the matter for investigation. The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) investigates motor vehicle safety reports.

The ODI conducts inspections, vehicle tests, and surveys. Investigators may contact you for more information about your accident or safety report. The NHTSA or manufacturer issues a recall if there is a safety concern with the vehicle. With a safety recall, the car manufacturer has to fix the issue with repairs, replace the defective parts, or offer a refund.

The NHTSA recommends checking vehicle recalls twice a year to make sure your car is safe. Some car companies own multiple brands. For example, Toyota owns the Lexus and Scion brands. If the safety recalls affect one brand, it can also affect other brands.

Many car companies use the same companies for vehicle parts. So, defects in car parts can affect multiple automakers. For example, the Takata airbag recall included multiple car manufacturers, including Ford, Mazda, Honda, and Toyota vehicles.

Resolving Safety Complaints With the Dealership

You can report vehicle problems to your dealership. Your car dealership or the automaker should fix, repair, or replace any defective parts under warranty. However, the dealership often makes it hard to get auto repairs. They also may try to make you pay for their defective parts. If your auto dealer won’t help, try the vehicle manufacturer. If the carmaker won’t help, report the problem to your state attorney general or consumer protection agency.

Even if the dealership fixes your dangerous vehicle, you should still report the problem to the NHTSA. This can help other drivers avoid serious injury accidents caused by defective vehicles.

Legal Help for Injuries Caused by a Defective Vehicle

Car dealers and manufacturers are responsible for any injuries caused by defective vehicles. Under state product liability laws, you can sue the dealer, carmaker, or distributor for damages. Compensation in a vehicle defect case includes medical bills, loss of income, and property damage. To find out about your legal rights after a defective vehicle accident, talk to a motor vehicle defect attorney.