How to Report a Dangerous Product
Quick Answer
When a product injures someone or poses a hazard, reporting it to the appropriate agency is one of the most effective things you can do. Federal safety agencies depend on consumer reports to identify dangerous products and initiate investigations. A single report may not trigger action, but a pattern of reports from multiple consumers often does.
Where to Report by Product Type
| Product Type | Agency | How to Report |
|---|---|---|
| Household products, appliances, toys, furniture | CPSC | SaferProducts.gov or 1-800-638-2772 |
| Vehicles, tires, car seats, motorcycles | NHTSA | nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem |
| Food, drugs, supplements, medical devices, cosmetics | FDA | fda.gov/safety/medwatch |
| Meat and poultry products | USDA FSIS | askfsis.usda.gov or 1-888-674-6854 |
When in doubt, start with SaferProducts.gov or Recalls.gov, which will direct you to the correct agency.
How to Report to the CPSC
The CPSC's SaferProducts.gov is the primary portal for household product safety reports.
What you will need:
- The product name, brand, and model number
- Where and when you purchased it (approximate is fine)
- A description of what happened, including any injuries
- Photos if available
- Your contact information (optional but helpful for follow-up)
Reports submitted to SaferProducts.gov become part of a public database. The CPSC reviews all reports, and healthcare providers treating product-related injuries can also submit reports through the same system.
You can also call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern time.
How to Report a Vehicle Defect to NHTSA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigates safety defects in vehicles and automotive equipment.
Go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem and complete the online form. You will be asked for:
- Your vehicle's VIN (17-character number on the dashboard or registration)
- The mileage at the time of the problem
- A description of what happened
- Whether any injuries occurred
- Whether you have reported the issue to the dealer or manufacturer
NHTSA uses these reports to identify patterns that may warrant a safety investigation or recall. You can track the status of your report after submission.
How to Report a Food or Drug Problem to the FDA
The FDA's MedWatch program accepts reports about:
- Adverse reactions to prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- Problems with medical devices
- Contaminated or mislabeled food products
- Dietary supplement concerns
- Cosmetic reactions causing harm
Submit at fda.gov/safety/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For immediate food safety concerns (contamination, foodborne illness), you can also contact your local health department.
What Happens After You Report
Your report is reviewed by agency staff. If a pattern emerges across multiple reports, the agency may:
- Open a preliminary investigation
- Contact the manufacturer for more information
- Conduct product testing
- Negotiate a voluntary recall with the manufacturer
- Order a mandatory recall if the manufacturer does not cooperate
Not every individual report results in action, but reports in aggregate are one of the primary triggers for federal safety investigations. Your report matters even if you never hear back directly.