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: Jan 1, 2025
After stopping at the local dealer monthly concerning this safety recall I am told every time that the part is not available. I am left driving this truck in an unsafe state and am concerned for public safety as well as my own. No assistance is ever offered and there is no eta on when to expect the needed parts. This is a known issue that a safety recall has been issued for but RAM is taking no ac... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2025
ABS complete and total failure while driving.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2025
ABS on this vehicle is activating extremely aggressively while driving normally on regular street roads, The car shakes and slides and does not stop until the abs stops doing its thing the distance is very far compared to regular braking. This happened multiple times even when coming to a stop sign i found myself in the middle of the intersection and almost got hit definitely not safe whatsoever. ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
ABS is malfunctioning on gravel slowing the stopping speed significantly. Stopping on uneven grounds is risky. Appointment made with dealership to review system. No warning light was on prior to during or after. This has occurred many times.
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
After 13 years and 112,000 the brake booster and brake booster pump went out on my car. Toyota extended the warranty to 10 years because of this issue. Now just outside of the 10 yr mark my car has this issue and Toyota will not cover it. This is a huge expense and also a major issue with this year and model of car.
Incident date: Sep 16, 2025
The ABS module has an "internal electrical fault" rendering the ABS and traction control on my Ram 1500 inoperable. The replacement part 68228991AD has been on back order and therefore unrepairable at the dealer for over a year and a half making my truck unsafe and Chrysler hasn't done anything to make the parts more available.
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
Component failute: first the cruse control would stop working while driving. then the engine would rive way up while trying to accelerate and not gain much speed, gas mpg dropped. when breaking to stop i had to push the break pedal harder. when the cruse had stopped and i shut the engine off, it was hard to start, and would bump and shake as if it was hitting on 2 cylinders, cruse still wou... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Driving home from work around 1:00 am at night with street lights and no other cars in the vicinity the auto brake engaged, causing an abrupt stop. Once the auto brake ceased I was able to complete my trip. There was a light coating of water in a spot on the road but nothing else and no reason for this to occur.
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2012) - SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 8, 2025
Incident date: Sep 29, 2025
This statement is to formally document my ongoing and serious concerns regarding my 2022 Volkswagen Taos, which has been in and out of the Pasadena Volkswagen, California, service department for the past three weeks due to a persistent fuel smell and related fuel system issues. Despite the recent maintenance and attempted repairs, the vehicle continues to exhibit these dangerous problems. Mo... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2025
My car has had numerous issue. The first issue was with the front end collision warning system. I had a sensor warning come on twice saying it may not be in use, but then it falsely predicted a collision resulting in the car slamming on the brakes when nothing was there. I almost go rear-ended as a result. The dealer found that the radar system was completely broken and the sensor was facing to th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
From vehicle start, traveled approximately 1.5 miles at top speed of approximately 25mph, applied brakes and came to a complete stop at stop sign to make left hand turn. A couple brake pumps to inch closer to ensure all clear. Once clear and removed foot from brake and attempted to accelerate into left hand turn vehicle accelerated approximately a 2-4 feet while in drive, auto park and emergency b... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2025
My Prius has a brake actuator defect that is common among 2013 Priuses. Supposedly Toyota mailed a notification of this problem, but did not do a recall. The notification offered to fix the problem, but you had to know that your Prius had the problem. I did not know. Once I understood that my Prius had this problem, the Toyota repair window had closed. The Prius is dangerous to drive. I approached... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2024
2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD 6.6L gas 6 speed automatic transmission W/4wd After a brake service job the vehicle will randomly kick on the traction control/ABS and the right front brake will lock up. The steering wheel jerk is violent enough to remove the wheel from the drivers hands. No Traction control or ABS lights flash on the dash when this occurs and it has caused the vehicle to veer into oncom... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2021
The ABS warning light came on while driving, and the brakes began to feel unsafe during normal stops. I later learned there is an open recall for the ABS module on my vehicle. When I took it to the dealership, they refused to perform the recall repair unless I paid out of pocket for a new ABS control module, even though the recall notice mentions this component. The issue affects braking performan... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2025
9/23/2025 After multiple trips to the dealership, the issues with my vehicle continue to persist. Here is the breakdown of my current issues with my vehicle: 1. Brakepad warning light (was informed that it is not covered under warranty even though I only have less than 13K miles) 2. After two attempts to fix the window seal issue, the issue still persists 3. The navigation screen on my driver c... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
concerns regarding my 2010 Ford Escape. Within thirty (30) days of purchase, the transmission completely failed, rendering the vehicle inoperable. Additionally, upon further inspection, it was discovered that the entire underbody of the vehicle is severely rusted and corroded. This corrosion appears extensive enough to compromise the structural integrity of the frame and essential safety component... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2025
The windshield monocular camera failed, disabling all safety precautions.
Incident date: Jul 11, 2025
2025 Palisade 1,700 miles. Brand new. When I approached a stop sign, there was a small pothole just before it. When braking towards this sign, the front left tire traveled over the pothole. The car then shook violently and braking appeared to have halted for a moment. A search online revealed many people having similar issues with potholes/uneven roads and the brakes not functioning during this sh... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2023
Started driving down the highway and the parking brake engaged while I was going seventy miles an hour on the freeway. I felt resistance For the rest of my trip. I got to destination one.Couldn't get the parking break to disengage.And I had to drive at home like that. Unhooked to the battery cable and the parking brake disengaged for a moment.Next time I started the car , the parking brake on agai... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
the passenger-side frontal airbag inflators, The determination was made that the propellant in these inflators may degrade after long-term exposure to high humidity and temperature cycling, which could cause the inflator to rupture during a deployment.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
While driving toward intersection, light changed to red. Applied pressure to brake pedal and pedal became extremely difficult to press. Vehicle was not slowing as expected with pedal pressure becoming very hard to press to slow vehicle. Warning on dash "Brake Assist" and Chevrolet app displays "Antilock Braking System" and text that states Schedule service now. If my wife would have been driving,... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2025
On September 30 I was on my way to work as I was merging to join a busy highway my breaks failed to work. I had to press them really hard but it took for ever to yield. I made hand signals to the cars I was about to strike and they were able to break before I hit them as I was merging. When this happened 3 service lights appeared. Service ESC system, Break assist failure. Press hard to break.Spee... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
Abs light continuously cycles. Front left brake is very hot
Incident date: Oct 7, 2025
Randomly when braking the vehicle will "lurch" forward causing you to immediately reapply the brakes hard to stop. The dealer claims they have no knowledge of this but when you Google "Toyota Highlander hybrid brake issues" there are numerous reports of the same occurrences. This creates a serious collision potential issue with a vehicle stopped in front of the car. It is available upon request ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Every time I get in the vehicle or turn the vehicle off I get a message "Secure vehicle against rolling contact service specialist". Even if I press the emergency brake it still continues, this appears to be a known problem with the BMW X1 and not sure if it will cause my car to roll away.
Incident date: Aug 9, 2025
Brakes make a horrible squealing noise when lightly applied. IT gets worse when its colder and sometimes sounds like water rushing. Dealership said this is normal even though the car is only a year old. This is not normal
Incident date: Oct 3, 2025
Parking brake failure, contact service error message repeatedly pops up on digital screen behind steering wheel
Incident date: Oct 7, 2025
Put in reverse to move backwards 5 feet or so the vehicle kept going and moving faster I applied the brake and hitting the brakes as well I didn't wonna hit the parked cars behind me so I put in park thinking that will also help stop the vehicle nothing worked it only stopped after hitting my other car that was parked on the street I tried everything to stop it it just took off I came out a beauti... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 13, 2025
All of the safety features are failing starting about August 2025. Warning lights are lit for collision mitigation, cruise control, high beam, lane departure, braking, EVERYTHING!!! We replaced the battery but that is not the problem. The transmission was always a problem. The braking assist never worked from day 1. The vehicle is completely defective.
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
Since having my Nissan 2021 Sentra I have for one, had to replace the battery in it twice. On a more serious note, it is now stopping the car at random and unnecessary times stating an object is in front of me. It happens once a while ago and I did not have any other signs, and it was just for a second, so I tried not to stress about it. Now it is happening more often and just this morning happene... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2025
The brackets supporting the right rear brake line were severely rusted and failed. The brake line cracked at the juncture of the wheel cylinder attachment nut. Subsequently,there was a total loss of braking action on all wheels. The dual cylinder master cylinder failed to actuate the front brakes.THERE WAS NO BRAKING ACTION. The emergency brake had to be deployed in order to stop the vehicle.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
1. The passenger side daytime fog light occasionally fails to operate, which could be a safety concern in certain driving conditions. 2. The one-pedal drive feature automatically switches off, even though it is saved in my profile. This may present a hazard if I accelerate as if one-pedal drive is still active. 3. The blind spot warning system does not provide an audible alert, and it sometimes ac... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
SLK350
(2012) - SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 6, 2025
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
When i am driving from high speed and trying to use my brakes, the whole rear car will start shaking around 48/45 miles per hour , I can hear our car seat from our baby how it makes vibrating noises and i can see my both door mirrors they're shaking too, and when it drops to 40mil per hour the shaking goes away. Went to the local Toyota dealer 3 times and they're saying that's normal. Very disapp... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
My car is jerking when driven and enabling the park brake while driving. There is a recall on other similar models. I purchased this vehicle brand new and within the same year, had the engine replaced by the manufacturer due to mechanical issues. Please assist in getting this PTU fixed not at my expense. The dealership is telling me $3k but I feel this should be covered due to other recalls and th... Read more
GOODYEAR
WRANGLER TRAILRUNNER AT
(9999) - SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 6, 2025
Incident date: Jun 13, 2025
1- ABS/Braking Issue The ABS system appears to be malfunctioning. On multiple occasions, typically once or twice a week, when I apply the brakes, the tires lock up and cause the vehicle to skid. This happens most often when descending hills or backing up on a sloped driveway. The wheels lock and slide until I release the brake pedal, posing a serious safety concern. 2- Severe Water Leak Interior... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
We were almost in a major accident with 6 passengers in our 2023 Hyundai Palisade. On Wednesday, Oct 1, 2025 we were driving our Palisade to McDonalds off Highway 98 (Navarre Parkway). Please see pics. When we left McDonalds we went on a side road to enter Highway 98. Now on this side road (see pictures) there is some type of metal grate in between the road...well when we went over the grate a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2025
My 2016 Chevy Malibu Limited is experiencing Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) failure symptoms that match Recall 39440, even though my VIN is not listed in the recall. Details of the problem: -The brakes would randomly feel like they were sticking and the car being held back -Brake lights would remain on -Car would float all over the road -ABS and StabiliTrak warning lights illuminated in ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
Brakes- when reversing the brakes make loud grinding / squealing noise. I'm worried at times it will give out by not braking. Electrical- my display panel with the reverse camera turns off which at times can cause an accident.
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2024) - SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 6, 2025
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
The contact owns a 1999 N/A Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact purchased the rear brake rotors and pads from R1 Concepts, who sells auto parts on Amazon. When the contact installed the brake parts, the rotors could not be adjusted since the rotors were missing the opening that needed to be pre-drilled. The contact stated that when the rear brakes were adjusted, the defect was found. In addition, the... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2025
It was a sunny day with no water around and I was pulling up to a signal and decide to put brakes on and the car didn’t break right away, instead the car slide for at least 10 ft before it came to a stop. This incident wasn’t the first one and has happened in exact same manner at least 3 times. All the times it has scared the driver as the driver doesn’t know if the brake feature works and ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2025
My vehicle had issues from the first day. I purchased the car on the day of delivery. The vehicle had a check engine light since then the vehicle has been repaired six times at the dealership and still has issues.
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
We have been having varying issues with this GMC, and have found numerous others with the same issue. Vacuum pump went out while driving. Thankfully I was not going very fast and it stopped prior to hitting someone. This is a known issue, yet no recall from GMC. Vacuum pump is said to have been failing causing other engine and transmission issues that can never be "re-created" for the vehicle t... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE L
(2022) - SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 6, 2025
Incident date: Nov 28, 2024
My son was driving in stop and go traffic on I-95 and he rear-ended another car. No safety features activated: i.e. dash warning lights, audible noise, auto breaking. Last week I was at teh dealer for the recall that effected the Emergency Breaking system. Talking with the dealer some updated turns the auto system off, or otherwise adjust the settings that I have prior. Backing out of the drive... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
1. The electrical system and driver-assistance/safety features malfunctioned, including intermittent power loss and dashboard system failures. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. The malfunction caused the vehicle to lose power to the braking system while driving, which created a risk of collision. Essential safety features such as power steering, brakes, and warning systems w... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2018) - SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 6, 2025
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Driving at highway speed when the low brake fluid warning light came up on dash. I managed to get the truck and trailer I was pulling to a safe location and checked brake fluid. I had little braking power. I had brake fluid brought to my location and refilled the reservoir. I inspected the brake system for leaks and there were none. I tested brakes and they appeared to function properly. I return... Read more
HYUNDAI
TUCSON HYBRID
(2025) - SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 6, 2025
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
[XXX] , [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Email: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Date: October 5, 2025 Kia America, Inc. Consumer Affairs Department [XXX] Subject: Request for Goodwill Repair – Defective Paint on 2014 Kia Optima LX Dear Kia Consumer Affairs Team, I am writing to formally request assistance regarding the defective paint on my 2012 Kia Optima LX. The paint has begun to peel and flake on several ar... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
My wife and I were coming up to a stop sign the other day and we hit some bumps in the road and were unable to apply the brakes. I pressed down on the pedal but the car went into the intersection before the brakes then applied and the car was then able to stop again. Thank god!! since there was another car coming to the intersection. The car made noises like when the traction control kicks on aft... Read more