Uber received over 400,000 sexual misconduct complaints in the U.S. between 2017 and 2022, according to legal filings, compared to 12,522 incidents disclosed in its public safety reports.

At a Glance

• Legal documents show 400,181 U.S. sexual misconduct complaints against Uber from 2017–2022
• Publicly released safety reports listed 12,522 incidents for the same period
• More than 2,500 lawsuits consolidated in federal multi-district litigation in California as of August 2025
• Lyft reported over 4,000 incidents from 2017–2019, with calls for more industry-wide data transparency
• Proposed reforms include independent audits, stronger screening, and clearer disclosure rules

Discrepancy Between Public and Legal Records

Court filings from ongoing multi-district litigation show that Uber logged 400,181 sexual misconduct complaints in the U.S. over a five-year period, a figure that exceeds by over thirty times the number disclosed in the company’s official safety reports. The data emerged through legal discovery in federal court proceedings involving more than 2,500 consolidated cases.

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The litigation centers on how Uber records, addresses, and reports incidents involving passengers and drivers. Attorneys representing plaintiffs argue that the publicly available figures may not fully reflect the company’s internal complaint data. Uber has stated in prior safety reports that serious incidents have decreased by 44%, but these claims are now being examined in light of the new court-released data.

Broader Industry Context

The rideshare industry’s safety reporting practices vary and remain under review by regulators and advocacy organizations. Lyft, for example, reported 4,000 sexual assault incidents from 2017 to 2019 but did not release more recent figures. Safety analysts note that independent contractor models, limited background checks, and differences in reporting standards can affect the accuracy and comparability of safety data.

Calls for change include mandatory independent audits, consistent industry-wide definitions for reporting, and expanded background screening for drivers. The newly revealed Uber figures have prompted renewed scrutiny of how rideshare companies handle sensitive safety-related information.

Litigation and Potential Policy Changes

The ongoing litigation against Uber could influence future regulatory and corporate policies in the rideshare sector. Legal experts indicate that discrepancies between public and internal reporting may raise compliance and liability questions. Lawmakers and advocacy groups have proposed reforms aimed at ensuring transparency, standardizing reporting requirements, and providing greater support resources for individuals involved in incidents.

The outcome of the federal multi-district litigation, as well as any related state-level actions, may set precedents for disclosure obligations across the rideshare industry. While Uber has pointed to safety improvements and investments in monitoring systems, legal and policy debates continue over how incident data should be collected, verified, and shared.

Sources

Rideshare Sexual Assault Statistics – Helping Survivors
Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuits – Sokolove Law
Navigating an Uber Sex Assault Claim – Yost Law
Uber US Safety Report – Uber
Uber’s Safety Record – Uber Newsroom