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: Jul 13, 2026
I was leaving the parking lot of a grocery store - I was probably 100 yards from where I parked to the exit to the road. My [XXX] and [XXX] were in car seats in the back. I went to merge into traffic going left out of the parking lot. As I accelerated to merge into traffic and get up to speed, the emergency brake on my car engaged with roughly half of my vehicle in the lane of oncoming traffic. As... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
Since repair work was performed on this vehicle in late 2025, it has intermittently experienced sudden, complete brake lockup on all four wheels without any pedal input. This has occurred during sharp turns and during straight, steady highway driving, both suddenly and after gradual buildup; regardless of the pattern leading up to it, the lockup itself is abrupt and unexpected. On March 25, 2026, ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2026
I was intending to make a left hand turn out of a dinner parking lot. As I approached the exit, I saw that a car was about to drive past me preventing me from making that turn, so I put my foot on the brake pedal to stop my car and let the vehicle safely pass in front of me. But the brake did not work. It did not stop my car. The pedal felt limp not firm I turned sharply to the left to avoid str... Read more
TOYOTA
GRAND HIGHLANDER
(2025) - SERVICE BRAKES
Jul 14, 2026
Incident date: May 30, 2026
I have a serious safety issue with my 2025 Mazda CX-5, purchased new in January 2026 from Island Mazda on [XXX]. A few days before the critical alert, I noticed the car stopping on its own before pressing the brake. While driving on the highway, I received a “faulty sensor” alert that went away. On July 10, 2026, I received a Critical Vehicle Malfunction Alert in the MyMazda app. The app gave ... Read more
NISSAN
ROGUE SPORT
(2020) - SERVICE BRAKES
Jul 14, 2026
Incident date: Jul 2, 2026
A variety of warning light came on my display in September 2025 indicating a failure of the anti-lock braking module. I paid $1137.01 with Mopar Genuine Parts only to find that the part is on "universal back order." That was almost a year ago! It doesn't seem "usual and customary" to charge for a part before it is shipped. Also, driving the car in this condition poses a significant safety risk... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2026
ABS Control Module needed and is not available. Warning lights on dashboard for Traction and Anti Lock Brakes. No part is available. No repair is available due to no parts available. My truck is unsafe to drive. Just over 7,000 miles on my truck. Truck not usable due to being unsafe without new part.
VOLKSWAGEN
TAOS
(2022) - SERVICE BRAKES
Jul 14, 2026
Incident date: Jul 10, 2026
Ford provides various driving modes for this truck, by their own description this setting changes the responsiveness of the steering, acceleration, and regenerative braking. This mode defaults to "Normal" at startup, with a short on-screen prompt to return to the previous mode. While this is incredibly frustrating, on its own probably doesn't rise to the level of a reportable issue. However someti... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the auto-braking system unexpectedly activated, and there was a grinding sound coming from the brakes; however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The ABS warning light was illuminated. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the brakes suddenly activated, and the instrument panel illuminated with a vertical yellow light. The vehicle wa... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2026
I am writing to report a serious safety issue introduced by a recent firmware update regarding the Sport mode and 1-pedal driving behavior. After driving the vehicle in Sport mode, parking, and restarting, the dashboard prompts me to return to Sport mode. When I select "Yes," the dashboard indicates that the vehicle has switched to Sport mode. However, the vehicle silently reverts to Normal mode,... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2026
Unexpected shaking and longer stopping distances / unable to properly apply my brakes when I try to break over bumpy surfaces.
Incident date: Jun 23, 2026
While traveling at the posted speed limit and approaching a signalized intersection, I attempted to brake for stopped traffic ahead. The vehicle did not decelerate as expected, and the automatic emergency braking/forward collision mitigation system did not activate or provide any braking assistance. Additionally, no forward collision warning or audible/visual alert was provided prior to impact. A ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 13, 2026
I am reporting a safety concern involving a delayed transmission gear engagement and delayed rearview camera activation. Intermittently, when shifting the vehicle from Park into Reverse or Drive, there is a noticeable delay before the transmission actually engages the selected gear. During this delay, the rearview camera also fails to activate immediately. Because there is no immediate indication... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2022) - SERVICE BRAKES
Jul 14, 2026
Incident date: Mar 14, 2026
Brake actuator had been making noises and it finally stopped working on 7/14/26. Thankfully my car was and stopped and parked. The car has 137k miles on it, one owner and no explanation of what caused this. There were no accidents, abuse, or failure to maintenance.
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2014) - SERVICE BRAKES
Jul 14, 2026
Incident date: Feb 18, 2026
I would say that the time this incident happened I was driving and me and me nephew were in car at time taking to shop to see why it was making a sound like air and all of sudden the car started swerving and slowing down and then it made a pop sound and smoke started coming from the car and I was thankful that I didn’t get hit but affraid and also hit my head in car due to the sudden jerk car m... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2026
I was towing my 21-foot boat on a trailer equipped with surge brakes while driving down a slight downhill grade. As I approached a stop sign and applied the brakes, the brake pedal felt extremely spongy. I had to press the pedal all the way to the floor, and the truck still would not stop as expected. After that incident, I noticed the brake pedal remains spongy even when I’m not towing anythin... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2026
While driving, multiple warning lights illuminate simultaneously — ABS, brake, and all driver assist/safety systems — and the drive mode drops to Standard Locked. During these events the anti-lock braking, stability control, traction control, and trailer sway control systems appear to go offline. I have photographs of the illuminated warnings. My own OBD-II scan on 7/9/26 recorded U0121 (lost ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2026
Brake master cylinder is leaking in the interior of truck on driver side floor mat. Oil is come from brake master cylinder seal.
Incident date: Jun 22, 2026
In an emergency stop on dry pavement, my braked did not operate in a straight line. The vehicle swerved. My statement is attached as Page 4 to an uploaded form supplied by the dealership abbreviated as "UB Interview Guide". You have my permission to inspect the vehicle which is in the possession of the Toyota of Santa Barbara dealership. Toyota of Santa Barbara has not to date inspected or r... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2026
I was under the truck working on it and the truck was on I had the emergency brake on and the truck went into reverse and ran me over
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 2, 2026
FAILURE: Brake control system. Vehicle intermittently surges forward while braking at low speed, most often through a curve — the brakes momentarily release and the vehicle lurches before braking resumes. Appears to occur during the transition between regenerative and friction braking. Vehicle available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: Unpredictable momentary loss of braking at low speed, in parking... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
ABS break lights and Service Advanced Trac lights flashing and beeping. Eventually Break fluid low lights came on and car would not break when driving . Leaked break fluid on driveway. Car was unable to be driven, no breaks .all happened very quickly and without any reason .i had it towed to a break mechanic and he said it was the ABS modular break line that was broken and there was no more break ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2026
Failed abs module prevents use of abs braking system causing wheels to lock up under hard braking. Collision almost occurred as result of wheels locking due to failed abs module and Stellantid does not have a replacement part available. Also prevent proper use of cruise control, stability/traction control and braking. Have been advised by dealerships in DeLand fl and Daytona beach fl that the part... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
The abs module is providing a code and mechanic states it is defective and needs to be replaced. Manufacturer has no parts available for repair. No accident occurred, only way to use vehicle is without abs protected braking.
Incident date: Jun 17, 2026
Vehicle suffered a failure cascade of the brake booster vacuum pump system. During a low-speed bumper collision on July 4 and a boat ramp slide, the pedal triggered abnormal ABS-like pulsing as the computer tried to hydraulically compensate for dropping vacuum pressure. This resulted in truck front bumper damage and boat trailer fender damage. On July 10, total failure occurred in a drive-thru, r... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 17, 2025
Driver of the vehicle was parking the vehicle in a parking lot, foot nowhere near the accelerator when the car suddenly surged forward striking a parking pole.. The driver side front quarter panel took on heavy damage along with the sensors.. Car had to be towed... It accelerated by itself...
Crash
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
The brake hydraulic control unit (HCU) has malfunctioned as described in recall campaign 24V-896/C4B, resulting in the ABS and Traction Control warning lights remaining illuminated on the dashboard for an extended period. This indicates an ongoing loss of ABS/Traction Control system function, which increases the risk of a crash during hard braking or slippery conditions, per the manufacturer's own... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
The recall C4B/NHTSB 24v-893 came out in January of 2025. The parts are still not available for this recall (per Chrysler/RAM). I have been driving my truck with a possible non-working ABS system for a year and a half, often pulling a 10,000 lb trailer. I feel that this is ridiculous that the part is still not available. If I had a wreck during this time, I guarantee that I would sue the crap out ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2026
Attached are pics of my failed 7 pole connector. The part number is (Hopkins #XXX). I took the RV to 24/7 Motorcoach and Victoria, Parts Manager, [XXX] Ext #5) filed claim #XXX on XXX. The claim was "Under Review" for almost a month. Now shows Approved Processing. I have a trip planned for tomorrow with my enclosed car trailer and did not have time to wait for the part. I purchased the replacemen... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
My 2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid rolled backward while in park. I push-started the truck and then turned on the A/C to start cooling the cabin. I left the driver’s side door open as I stepped out to begin loading my 8-month-old baby’s stroller. The open door bumped my back, so I quickly jumped back into the vehicle to press the brake. The truck eventually stopped, but not before the door folded ou... Read more
Crash
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) - SERVICE BRAKES
Jul 12, 2026
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
In the past 18 months the vehicle has experienced phantom breaking while driving 3 times. Each time there were no vehicles within 30 or more feet from the vehicle. All 3 times occurred while driving the vehicle and going between 20-40 mph. The vehicle engaged in an emergency break and stopped the car in the road. All three times could have resulted in a major accident as it occurred on busy... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2026
Last year I was heading to heading to [XXX] in XXX when I pushed on the brakes on my 2020 Chevy blazer my brakes were working but the steering wheel was shaking weird like I was hard on the brakes but I was tapping them slowly earlier this year right before I had transmission flush at fox Chevy in Caledonia I noticed before two weeks of bringing it in I was near a traffic light slowing down it we... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
Vacuum pump failure caused my brakes to lock up and almost caused me to wreck into another vehicle
Incident date: May 15, 2026
Transmission causes problems in can be on interstate and be switching lanes and it loses power and wont go takes forever to shift out. It will cut out and you can barely get pulled off side of rd in time. Electrical the battery voltage goes crazy up and down causing vehicle to power surge bad or at night time lights will go out for no reason while driving every now and then you can smell somethi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
Car not starting. Narrowed down to brake light switch not functioning properly. Jumped across the switch, car started. Push button ignition requires brakes to be depressed to start the vehicle. We have been close to being rear-ended twice lately. No warning lights signifying a problem. This is the second Altima I owned with this exact same failure to occur. First was a 2010 Altima S 2.5
Incident date: Jul 7, 2026
The AED, Braking, Cameras and lane centering systems failed and caused a crash into the highway barrier suddenly due to defects in the driver assist systems defect in the electronic safety systems causing the steering wheel to turn forcefully to the barrier striking it. This happened without any warning despite driver input to stop the sudden steering inputs and braking.
Crash
1 injured
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2015) - SERVICE BRAKES
Jul 12, 2026
Incident date: Jul 12, 2026
The dealership and Toyota Engagement Center refused to service the 2 recalls that was critical for the truck since October 2025. It was supposed to be including frame replacement and other parts but Toyota Engagement decided to active buy back option and took advantage of low offer to solve the matter which I don't accept.
Incident date: Jun 11, 2026
The Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) actuators are bolted directly to the brake caliper. It has been detected that the factory retaining bolts lack a threadlocking compound (such as Loctite) to prevent them from backing out due to normal vehicle vibration. As a result, the bolts back out completely and fall off, causing the actuator to become loose and detach from the brake caliper.
Incident date: Jul 12, 2026
Purchased used 6/12/2026 at 188,882 miles from a franchised Chevrolet dealer. The integrated trailer brake system master fuse and passenger-side turn signal fuse were blown at delivery. When the fuses were replaced, the trailer brake system faulted and the failure disabled the ABS, traction control, and StabiliTrak (electronic stability control). Significant safety concern: with the master fuse bl... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
I parked my car and it was sitting for about an hour I came back to the car and heard a humming noise found that weird but I had to drive home about 10 mins later I parked car, sound was still going even while car was off. So I thought to let it sit for another while. Came back to car sound was still on I started car and the abs, traction, & brake light came on and not even 2 mins later my car sta... Read more
Incident date: Jun 24, 2026
This is a follow up submission to NHTSA case #XXX. Organization Under Complaint: Hutchinson Kia, [XXX] Complaint Summary: The dealership is utilizing unfair and deceptive financial gating practices to avoid its legal obligations under a federal safety recall. The dealership refuses to look at or evaluate a vehicle subject to an urgent fire-risk HECU safety recall unless the consumer first authoriz... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2026
The brakes on my Ford f150 failed and I took it to a shop and found out that the master cylinder had failed and all the brake fluid was being pumped into the brake booster.I had the master cylinder and the booster replaced for $ 926.00 dollars. There was a recall for this problem but it ended with trucks that were made thru August 31,2013 my truck was made September 12 ,2013 only 12 days after th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2026
Phantom braking while driving under a bridge. No cars around but Tucson warned collision while driving under a bridge and slammed on the brakes! This has happened multiple times. This fake safety feature is actually a hazard!
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
Q1. Vehicle brake malfunction. Vehicle was from a rental agency. Upon driving, the brakes would not work on two separate occasions. (6/30 and 7/1) Q2. Upon starting the vehicle from gas station and driving towards the stop sign to exit, the brake system failed. Had I gone at a higher speed, I have caused an accident, injuring myself and others. Q3. No. The agency submitted the vehicle for a diagno... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2026
PREMATURE WEAR ON REAR BRAKES
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
The brake light, abs light, and traction control light is on. This was a known issue with Toyota Prius. They extended the warranty but failed to adequately notify user. I believe this is a serious safety issue and should be a recall as it affects the adequate stopping of a car, not just an extended warranty.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2026
The ABS light on my dashboard came on approximately one year ago. After researching the issue, I discovered there are numerous complaints about the ABS module failing on my 2016 Ram 1500 and similar models. The replacement part is unavailable (on long-term backorder or discontinued), leaving me without functional anti-lock brakes, traction control, and electronic stability control. This makes the ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2026
Brakes went stiff and hard to push no warning light. I was driving on the interstate with my daughter. Was stuck out of town with no breaks.
Incident date: Jun 28, 2026
I have a big problem with this van’s brakes I couldn’t brake when I was driving on the freeway it didn’t brake properly and so dangerous and I was terrified luckily didn’t get into accident I complained about this issue to the nhtsa about this Chrysler Pacifica
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
I have a big problem with this van’s brakes I couldn’t brake when I was driving on the freeway it didn’t brake properly and so dangerous and I was terrified luckily didn’t get into accident I complained about this issue to the nhtsa about this Chrysler Pacifica
Incident date: Jul 1, 2020
I was driving and steering reduced drive with caution notification and brake assist notification came on and then engine light and the temp gage went to cold and stayed there. My steering stiffened up making it hard to steer. This is a known problem with the Chevy blazers and it had to do with the thermostat needing replaced.