How do I report a car safety problem?

Concerns & risks

You were trying to get the dealer to fix a repeating problem, but they say they can't find anything.

Patterns of complaints can lead to investigations.

Causes & evidence

NHTSA accepts safety complaints about vehicles, tires, car seats and equipment. See vehicle recalls.

What to do

1. Gather VIN, dates and details.
2. File at NHTSA.gov.
3. Keep repair records.

Common mistakes: Common mistakes: giving vague descriptions. Write down when it happens, speed, weather and any warning lights. Take videos if safe. Keep every repair order. Filing a complaint with NHTSA adds to the data they use to spot safety trends. Ask the manufacturer's customer line for help too. Your state may have lemon laws for new cars. Ask for a copy of any technical service bulletins related to your symptom; they sometimes describe known issues and fixes. Stay polite but persistent and keep a written timeline of every visit. If it's a safety issue, keep driving to a minimum until it's resolved.

Speed Man tip: Also tell the manufacturer.

Wrap-up: File with NHTSA. Include details. Keep records.