API Reference | DriveDecision

Get Complaints

Returns complaint records for a specific vehicle make/model/year combination.

GET/complaints/{make}/{model}/{year}

Path Parameters

makestringrequired

The manufacturer slug (e.g., "honda")

modelstringrequired

The model slug (e.g., "civic")

yearintegerrequired

The model year (e.g., 2023)

Query Parameters

categorystring

Filter by category: engine, transmission, electrical, brakes, suspension, interior, exterior

min_mileageinteger

Minimum mileage at time of failure

max_mileageinteger

Maximum mileage at time of failure

sortstring

Sort order: date_desc (default), date_asc, mileage_desc, mileage_asc

pageinteger

Page number (default: 1)

limitinteger

Results per page, max 100 (default: 20)

Example Request

bash

curl -X GET "https://api.drivedecision.com/v1/complaints/honda/civic/2023?category=electrical&limit=10" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

Response

json

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "vehicle": {
      "make": "Honda",
      "model": "Civic",
      "year": 2023
    },
    "complaints": [
      {
        "id": "cmp_abc123",
        "date_reported": "2024-02-15",
        "category": "electrical",
        "component": "Infotainment System",
        "description": "The touchscreen freezes randomly while driving. Requires turning off the vehicle and restarting to fix. Happens approximately once per week.",
        "mileage": 12500,
        "crash": false,
        "fire": false,
        "injuries": 0,
        "repair_cost": 0,
        "repair_description": "Dealer performed software update, issue persists"
      },
      {
        "id": "cmp_abc124",
        "date_reported": "2024-01-22",
        "category": "electrical",
        "component": "Backup Camera",
        "description": "Backup camera displays black screen intermittently. No pattern to when it occurs.",
        "mileage": 8200,
        "crash": false,
        "fire": false,
        "injuries": 0,
        "repair_cost": 450,
        "repair_description": "Camera unit replaced under warranty"
      }
    ]
  },
  "meta": {
    "page": 1,
    "limit": 10,
    "total": 15,
    "hasMore": true
  }
}

Get Complaints by Category

Returns complaint statistics grouped by category for a vehicle.

GET/complaints/{make}/{model}/{year}/categories

Example Request

bash

curl -X GET "https://api.drivedecision.com/v1/complaints/honda/civic/2023/categories" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

Response

json

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "vehicle": {
      "make": "Honda",
      "model": "Civic",
      "year": 2023
    },
    "categories": [
      {
        "name": "electrical",
        "count": 15,
        "percentage": 31.9,
        "avg_mileage": 18500,
        "avg_repair_cost": 425,
        "top_components": ["Infotainment", "Backup Camera", "Sensors"]
      },
      {
        "name": "engine",
        "count": 12,
        "percentage": 25.5,
        "avg_mileage": 32000,
        "avg_repair_cost": 1250,
        "top_components": ["Oil Consumption", "Timing Chain", "Fuel System"]
      },
      {
        "name": "brakes",
        "count": 8,
        "percentage": 17.0,
        "avg_mileage": 25000,
        "avg_repair_cost": 650,
        "top_components": ["Brake Pads", "Rotors", "ABS Module"]
      },
      {
        "name": "transmission",
        "count": 7,
        "percentage": 14.9,
        "avg_mileage": 45000,
        "avg_repair_cost": 2800,
        "top_components": ["CVT", "Shift Quality", "Clutch"]
      },
      {
        "name": "other",
        "count": 5,
        "percentage": 10.6,
        "avg_mileage": 15000,
        "avg_repair_cost": 350,
        "top_components": ["HVAC", "Windows", "Seats"]
      }
    ],
    "total_complaints": 47
  }
}

Get Single Complaint

Returns detailed information for a specific complaint by ID.

GET/complaints/{id}

Path Parameters

idstringrequired

The complaint ID (e.g., "cmp_abc123")

Example Request

bash

curl -X GET "https://api.drivedecision.com/v1/complaints/cmp_abc123" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

Response

json

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "id": "cmp_abc123",
    "vehicle": {
      "make": "Honda",
      "model": "Civic",
      "year": 2023,
      "trim": "EX"
    },
    "date_reported": "2024-02-15",
    "date_incident": "2024-02-10",
    "category": "electrical",
    "component": "Infotainment System",
    "description": "The touchscreen freezes randomly while driving. Requires turning off the vehicle and restarting to fix. Happens approximately once per week. This is a safety concern as it affects navigation and backup camera functionality.",
    "mileage": 12500,
    "purchase_date": "2023-06-15",
    "crash": false,
    "fire": false,
    "injuries": 0,
    "deaths": 0,
    "repair_attempted": true,
    "repair_cost": 0,
    "repair_description": "Dealer performed software update under warranty. Issue persists after update.",
    "nhtsa_id": "11556789",
    "similar_complaints": 8,
    "manufacturer_response": null
  }
}

Available Categories

The following categories are used to classify complaints:

Category	Description
`engine`	Engine performance, oil consumption, timing, fuel system issues
`transmission`	Automatic, manual, CVT transmission problems
`electrical`	Battery, sensors, infotainment, lighting, wiring
`brakes`	Brake pads, rotors, ABS, brake lines, parking brake
`suspension`	Shocks, struts, control arms, alignment issues
`steering`	Power steering, steering column, tie rods
`interior`	Seats, dashboard, climate control, trim pieces
`exterior`	Paint, body panels, glass, mirrors, door handles
`safety`	Airbags, seatbelts, crash avoidance systems