Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim, NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,245,377 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports, when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report, that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints, specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened, feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 78,884 complaints - component: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident date: Aug 15, 2026
Today was the 4th time my vehicle breaked on its own without any reason. The prior breaking, I kinda shrugged off thinking it maybe sensed another vehicle and was being cautious. However, today I was traveling north hwy 11 and there was nothing in front of me. My car abruptly and violetly slammed on its breaks for no reason at all. The violent deceleration caused my head and neck to whip and my ne... Read more
1 injured
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) - SERVICE BRAKES
Aug 15, 2026
Incident date: May 12, 2026
I have experienced braking issues with my 2023 ID.4. It would randomly require me to put press the brake pedal all the way to the floor and would still roll past stop lines, and near miss with cars in front of me. It happens more often when the road is wet and raining weather. I was told by two VW service centers that my breaks were normal and they found nothing wrong with the car as they couldn't... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2022
It’s been a 4 year battle. I received a bait and switch clone vehicle A Frankenstein!! The vehicle and vin are clones. The vehicle was delivered in the dark after hours during a time I was sick. Im also disabled. I had looked at the vehicle on the [XXX] website Hyundai Genesis lot then went and looked in person and test drove it. I was told it was a one owner vehicle out of Michigan. I purchas... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2026
Hello! I am writing to report an urgent and serious safety failure involving my 2025 Acura MDX A-Spec and to request immediate investigation and action. The vehicle’s driver-assist systems - specifically the lane departure warning and forward collision warning - failed to operate. In addition, both the steering wheel and the accelerator became stuck, causing my vehicle to collide head‑on with... Read more
Crash
4 injured
Incident date: Jul 20, 2026
While traveling on the interstate, the driver of the Ford Escape moved into the left lane from behind an 18-wheeler that had stopped while attempting to enter a turning lane. After moving into the left lane, the driver observed traffic ahead stopping. The vehicle ahead was at or beyond the front of the 18-wheeler. The Escape was still behind the rear of the 18-wheeler when the driver began braking... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Apr 10, 2021
Online is saying there is 0 recalls after a year of having the vehicle a recall was sent by mail. I got it fixed by jeep van nuys, the engine and the other equipment attached looks unsafe and it is completely overheating
Incident date: Aug 1, 2026
2018 Jeep Wangler JK experienced a brake failure due to a rusted collapsed right front brake line. Vehicle is one owner with 29,855 miles at time of repair on 08/05/26. Repaired by independent service center. Garage kept for the first 6 of 8 years of ownership, never operated off road, and no accidents. Parked in a covered car port for last two years when not in use. This is a well maintained,... Read more
Incident date: Jun 12, 2026
1. On XXX (clear ), while parking a Hertz rental Nissan Rogue at a hotel parking lot in [XXX], the vehicle suddenly and violently accelerated forward without warning. Brake pedal application was ineffective. The vehicle jumped a stone barrier and sustained damage. I was terrified and sustained minor injuries. 2. This vehicle is equipped with the KR15DDT engine, which is the subject of NHTSA rec... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 9, 2026
Brakes went out while driving on 77n. In viginia. Once we were anle to get to the side of the road realized we were on fire. Ford dealership determined the fire burnt the brake lines boiling fluid pushing it back through master cylinder knocking out my brakes.
Fire
Incident date: Aug 14, 2026
ABS module malfunction from known corrosion that all these vehicles have. Then they don’t make the part anymore.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
Failure of ABS control module. Illuminated Brake, ABS, Traction control system lights are on the dash. The cruise control is inoperative as well. Code reader shows C2200-49 and C2200-47.
TRIUMPH
SCRAMBLER 1200 XE
(2023) - SERVICE BRAKES
Aug 14, 2026
Incident date: Jun 20, 2026
The front brake master cylinder is leaking brake fluid slowly. This was first recognized by me in my garage ~8 weeks ago Included is a photo from of a leak-stain on the exhaust header that I presumed was from servicing in the dealership showroom as taken by my transporter. In retrospect, this appears to align with the brake fluid leak. The issue is continuing to this day. There is noticeable fluid... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2026
My 2022 Chevrolet Blazer abruptly Shut down all power for about five seconds while I was stopped at a red light. The vehicle restarted after I pressed the push-button ignition, but the dashboard displayed a brake system error warning with no explanation of the cause or instructions for next steps. No other warning lights preceded the shutdown. The vehicle appeared to resume normal operation after ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2026
I am receiving code C2200, and the ABS, brake, lights on confirmed by my local Jeep, Dodge, Ram dealership. The dealership wants to sell me aftermarket ABS module telling me it's a 50/50 chance of it working with electronic flush. All other ABS modules are on backorder with the current safety recall for 2019, 2021-2024 Ram 1500's.
Incident date: Aug 14, 2026
known issue with " anti click washer on Bolt EV " and resulting damage to related components can cause loss of control acceleration, stopping and major damage and cost, no warning lights or TSB other than for previous gen but same design and same defect, inspected by dealer shows broken anti click washer and damage to other components https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/07/heres-why-your-chevy-bolt... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2026
1 Unknown. I suspect a malfunction involving the electronic gear-selection/shift-control system or transmission control system. I personally placed the vehicle in Park while the engine was running. After I exited the vehicle and was away from it, the vehicle moved on its own. When I returned after hearing the impact, the gear selector was no longer in Park and was in another position. The vehicle ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 14, 2026
It has been almost a year since this recall came out and there is not a remedy available. the manufacturer has failed to provide a remedy for it since it came out on August 25, 2026
Incident date: Aug 14, 2026
I would like to make a complaint for malpractice during a recall repair. I was notified on aug 4, 2026 that after the dealership did the recall 23S12 brake hose that during the test drive that my master seal and brake booster started to leak and needs to be replaced. They asked me if i have had any brake problems and we have not. They wanted to charge me over $1000. I declined because i had no... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2024
my vehicle since the first week verhicle stops for no reason comes into a sudden dangerous stop the vehicle in the highway turn off and vehicle take off on its own 0 to 40 miles on its own
Incident date: Jul 24, 2026
Description of the Safety Defect:My 2018 Tesla Model 3 AWD suffered an abrupt and catastrophic total loss of mechanical braking power while driving. The brake pedal went completely soft, and the vehicle lost hydraulic pressure.An independent mechanic inspected the undercarriage and confirmed that the factory steel hydraulic brake lines completely rusted through and ruptured, leaking all brake flui... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2026
Around 24,000 miles, the truck developed severe vibration when braking at highway speed slowing down from 65mph. The fix required the owner to replace front and rear rotors and brake pads due to warping.
FORD
ESCAPE PHEV
(2021) - SERVICE BRAKES
Aug 14, 2026
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
NOV 20, 2025 Manufacturer Recall Number25SC4 NHTSA Recall Number25V789 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary this has been 9 months and still no remedy. this doesnt seem timely.
Incident date: Jul 20, 2026
Regarding NHTSA Recall Number 05V017000; * Component: Speed control deactivation switch. Available for inspection. * Safety Risk: Spontaneous fire occurred on 07/20/2026 at apx 1am destroying the vehicle, damaging two other vehicles, and nearly burning down our home. *Problem Reproduced: Unknown * Component Inspected: Yes, by HOI claims adjuster. * Any warning lamps/ messages?: I had been dealing ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jul 7, 2026
I was sold this vehicle as new. Then I look it up and it has these recalls. They should have to buy it back
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact stated that the pre-collision, secondary brake, lane departure, and engine warning lights were illuminated and flashed on and off. The vehicle was restarted after depressing the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle stalled shortly afterwards. The local dealer was not contacte... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2025
As many have spoken about already, I have the hesitation or lag from stop or rolling at very slow speeds. I kind of learned to live with it but feel it's getting worse. My wife had to drive the truck, and she said it was very scary and did not feel safe. I know it is not the engine as I had it replaced and problem is still very much there! There have been so many issues with this truck. Brakes hav... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2026
Pulling from a stop sign across two lanes of traffic into a median, the car shut off and then started back. When it started back there were multiple warning lights. Pulled out onto highway and when coming to the next turn, there were no power brakes. Had to use extreme pressure to slow the vehicle down to a stop. Turned the car off and then back on and most lights went off.
Incident date: Aug 13, 2026
“Service ABS System”, “Service Electronic Braking System” and Traction Control warnings keep randomly occurring. Replacement ABS module is unavailable for this extremely widespread issue. Has anyone discussed a class action lawsuit for this issue? I’ve never had more problems with a vehicle than I’ve had with this truck. Ram should be embarrassed. I’ll be trading it in soon a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2026
My transmission blew up. My airbags did not deploy. And neither of my brakes or emergency brakes worked. I was in a car accident where I hit another car in a tree and was admitted into the hospital as I am pregnant.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
Received Important Safety Recall notice, Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) ABS, C4B/NHTSA 24V-896 more than 2 years ago. To date, nothing has been done and I'm scared to drive it for safety reasons. There is a very annoying alarm dinging most of the time. I have phoned several times asking when the recall can be performed. Every time the answer is parts are not available yet. For our safety, we would l... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2026
Manufacturer hidden issues on vehicle on: Air system including compressor, air tank capacity volume and consumption, or valves. Automatic transmission air consumption and possible module or valves leaking air. Involved in crash and sensitive information available in black box and company Dash camera.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to engage while the brake pedal was depressed. The brake and master warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions; however, the contact stated that the vehicle recently failed to return to normal operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2026
Multipurpose camera internal failure disabling my all my safety features in ADAS.
Incident date: Apr 10, 2025
The dealership said I need my ABS module replaced due to the lights on the dashboard and my ABS braking system and cruise control not working. I had them order the module and paid for it. I finally asked for a refund. where it has been on backorder for 18 months as of 8/13/2026, with no idea of when it will come in if it comes in at all. This is an extremely disturbing situation and safety issue... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2026
Anytime the wipers are on and the speed is above 50 mph, this car periodically applies the brakes to keep the rotors dry. It's an automated system that BMW's and Mini's have. However, for some reason, the vehicle now pulls hard to the right, which veers the car into the other lane. The brake pads and rotors are all new. The tires are new and the alignment is good. The brake fluid was just cha... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2026
While driving, I experienced the brakes beginning to fail, followed shortly by a complete loss of engine power. My 2021 Ford Bronco is subject to recall 25S75 (NHTSA 25V455) for a low pressure fuel pump defect that can cause loss of fuel pressure or flow and engine stall. I was stranded on the side of the interstate in 100 degree heat with my newborn in the vehicle. This was a dangerous situation,... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2026
There was a sent out that GM dealers needed to at no cost provide the software update to several vehicles due to a software issue that puts out an emergency warning that the brakes are wearing and are critically low when in fact they are not. Without the new software vehicle owners cannot manually reset the notification even after changing their brakes. I recently took my truck to David Chevrolet ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2026
The brake booster has failed, a hissing noise is audible coming from the brake pedal when depressed. I have also noticed reducing stopping power in certain situations. It appears this issues is referenced by Chrysler in an extended warranty, covered under Mopar Warranty Bulletin D-22-15, however this car has now been in service for 6 years.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
- Rear brake hose broke and was leaking fluid (Manufacturer Recall Number 25S87 NHTSA Recall Number 25V544). Remedy unavailable. - Braking and coming to a complete stop became nearly impossible. Had to put the car in park if the car was going to be stopped for a long period of time. - Yes, I took the car to the closest independent service center where they detected the problem. - No, it has not be... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2023
The brake module that has been recalled on other Ram trucks has failed in the listed 2016 Ram 1500. We have tried multiple times to get it replaced at the dealership however, because this vehicle doesn’t fall under the recall we have been on a waiting list for nearly 3 years. Due to this safety issue we are unable to tow our camper safely. Additionally, we are also unable to sell the vehicle at ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2026
This has now happened 3 separate times. Once 1 month ago, my husband and I were on the connecting road from [XXX] toward [XXX] by the water plants stopped in traffic and the truck completely powered off at a red light. It took 30 seconds for the truck to power back on, and be restarted. It showed a check engine light the rest of the drive. The next time it turned on from being off there was no che... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2026
My 2026 BMW X5 xDrive50e experienced a serious freeway safety event involving loss of braking/brake power, loss of vehicle power/functionality, and multiple vehicle warnings/errors. The incident occurred while I was driving on the freeway and substantially affected my ability to safely operate the vehicle. BMW Emergency Services subsequently towed the vehicle to Irvine BMW on 07/09/2026. Irvine B... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 7, 2021
My complaint/safety issue is that while I was in my 2019 Subaru Outback, I experienced Unintentional acceleration. While waiting for the large chain-link fence at my storage unit to open, the Outback raced into the gate! I had one foot on the brake waiting for the gate, then I stomped the pedal with both feet, and I held that position while the car smashed through the gate. This happened in Jul... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 21, 2024
My 2020 Chevrolet Trax has experienced recurring brake problems for approximately two years. The issue involves the brake pedal becoming unusually resistant and the vehicle failing to brake normally when I apply the pedal. The vehicle and affected components are available for inspection. My first known documented occurrence was August 21, 2024, one day after I picked up the vehicle from AutoNatio... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Brake master cylinder failed on 2019 Toyota Tacoma. Vehicle had ~40000 miles at time of failure summer of 2025. Out of pocket expense was over $2000.00.
Incident date: Jun 2, 2026
my car keeps showing parking break fault. there is a recall for it but it only covers cars built until february 2022 mine was built in april 2022 and it has the same exact damage
Incident date: Aug 12, 2026
Failure of brake booster and master cylinder. Failure caused breaks to malfunction, not allowing the vehicle to break appropriately. To break, you had to step on the break very hard, break pedal did not have usual pressure. No leakage visible on the ground outside of the car. When starting the car (usually you must press on breaks) it was already obvious something was wrong. After starting the car... Read more
Incident date: Jun 7, 2021
Almost had an accident in parking lot where my brakes were hard/spongy. I saw a recall for 2014 chevy silverado for brake booster pump but I was never informed of such recall at the time. I've had my truck since 2016. I notified dealership and they informed me that the timeframe has expired for them to repair.
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
Recall 03d on ram 1500 no parts available since March told to call back in month, dealer never ordered part called back in may ,no part went above dealer to order part,got another recall letter in August, called dealer no part,went above dealer,parts on back order.why we have recall and can't get part.got this truck to pull my travel trailer. If lights quit and brakes fail ,not good for me.they ne... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2026
Vehicle was parked on the driveway, brake sign came on upon start and system malfunction error showed on screen, vehicle started lowering automatically and Air compressor stopped working.