Terms · The rules of the road

Fair terms for a public record

Readable terms that keep complaint statistics useful without mistaking them for vehicle advice.

Reviewed August 2026Applies to all MotorCensus pages
01

What MotorCensus provides

MotorCensus publishes statistics computed from public federal complaint data for information and research. Reading the site is free and requires no account. By using it, you agree to these terms.

02

Statistics, not advice

Complaint counts are reports, not verified defects. The index is not a failure rate, and no number here should be the sole basis for buying, selling, or repairing a vehicle.

The clause that matters most

For decisions involving money or safety, inspect the specific vehicle and consult a qualified professional.

03

Permitted use

  • Personal, educational, and journalistic use is welcome with a link to the relevant MotorCensus page.
  • Original NHTSA files remain available from NHTSA; consumer-submitted narratives may carry separate rights.
  • MotorCensus's compiled indexes, original prose, design, and code remain protected by applicable law.
  • Do not evade technical safeguards or republish substantially all generated pages as a competing service.
04

Trademarks

Vehicle makes, models, and manufacturer logos belong to their respective owners and appear only for identification. MotorCensus is not affiliated with or endorsed by a manufacturer, dealer network, NHTSA, or the U.S. government.

05

No warranty

The site is provided as is. We publish the method and correct discovered errors, but cannot guarantee that the source records or analysis are complete, current, or error-free.

06

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, MotorCensus is not liable for losses arising from use of the site or reliance on its statistics, including purchase, sale, or repair decisions.

07

Changes to these terms

The review date changes when these terms are revised. Material changes are also recorded in the changelog.

08

Contact

Questions about these terms go to [email protected].