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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints

140,173 Reported Crashes

56,794 Reported Fires

8,580 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›

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Showing 78,884 complaints - component: SERVICE BRAKES

Incident date: Jun 12, 2026

Brake light wont cut off and drains battery. Car wouldn't start and once battery was charged all steering, cruise control, hill assist, lane assist and other lighs came on. 7 total alerts came on and car struggled to go up hills and speed up after braking at lights. Brake light stayed on entire drive and didnt go off even when the car was off.

Incident date: Jul 7, 2026

The braking system does not engage properly and is worse in the rain. When adaptive cruise control is on, the car does not slow down at every instance when there is a car in front slowing down. When the car finally realizes there's an object/car in front it then slips before engaging in traction control, which seems to make the car actually slide forward rather than attempting to stop immediately.

Incident date: Jul 25, 2015

Made a complete stop and vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed and could not stop.

Crash

Incident date: Jul 7, 2026

Had to repleace the electrical parking brake sensor. Now all my lights on the dash board are lighted up and have to go get a diagnostic test done

Incident date: Jul 3, 2026

My 2018 Ram 2500 has been experiencing a message about servicing the electronic braking system and it is causing issues with my entire truck. When the issue arises, my automatic running boards will constantly work up and down without the truck even being on, I am having a constant message popping up on my infotainment system with a constant dinging, causing my traction control light to be illumina... Read more

Incident date: Jun 17, 2026

While driving my 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, the vehicle suffered a sudden, complete failure of the power braking assist system. The failure was accompanied by a rapid cascade of three sequential dashboard warning messages in immediate succession: First Warning: "Service ESC" illuminated alongside the "Brake Park" warning light. Second Warning: "Brake Assist Failure. Press Hard to Brake. Speed Limit... Read more

Crash

Incident date: May 7, 2026

On XXX, I was towing my camper to Copper Center, Alaska from Palmer, Alaska when my truck experienced a full transmission shut down which put the truck into "Reduced Power Mode". We descending down the road right next to Victory Bible Camp (64741 Victory Rd, Sutton-Alpine, Ak 99674) when the exhaust break turned off and the truck decreased power and the Check Engine Light illuminated. The Diagnost... Read more

Incident date: Jun 24, 2026

I am the owner of a 2012 Winnebago Tour on a Freightliner chassis. A 4 in 1 gauge on the dash, part number W22-00013-022, developed a crack in the housing, resulting in a considerable air leak. My service center advised me the part is unavailable, anywhere, at any price. I called the FCCC support line and was told the part is no longer manufactured. Alternate part numbers are likewise no longe... Read more

Incident date: Jul 6, 2026

Abs module shut down causing truck to lose control. Now all drive train systems are locked out

Crash

Incident date: Jun 26, 2026

We were at a complete stop waiting for traffic to go, I had my foot on the brake pedal and the car lunge/revved up and hit the car in front of me. This is the 3rd time this has happened. The first time we were advised it was probably the front-end sensor that were probably covered with ice. We were advised they are very sensitive. The 2nd time it was winter still, so we took the car through th... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jun 20, 2026

I was in stop and go traffic on the highway when my brakes failed. I tried them twice, the car did not slow down, I put the car into park and tried to engage the parking brake and the car continued to roll until I hit the 18 wheeler in front of me. This happened a second time before I could get myself off the freeway and to a safe place to call a tow truck.

Incident date: Jun 24, 2026

The anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module on my 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited failed, resulting in a C2200 internal ABS module fault. The failure disables the ABS, electronic stability control, and traction control safety systems. The failed component is available for inspection upon request. The initial symptoms were ABS, traction control, and stability control warning lights appearing inte... Read more

Incident date: Jun 27, 2026

When backing up, either on a hill or flat surface, the brakes fail to stop the vehicle. There is a pulsing sensation with the brakes due to failure of the vacuum. The brake pedal also becomes impossible to depress. No warning lights appear when this occurs.

Incident date: Jul 4, 2026

I have a 2017 Chevy Malibu 2.0 T. The incident involved the braking system. I was driving and as traffic came to a stop, I pressed the brake to stop and my brakes gave out. I immediately lifted my foot and press extremely hard on my brake pedal and was able to stop though the stopping distance was much further and nearly caused an accident. I have now taken the vehicle to a Chevy certified dealer ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 1, 2026

I brought this Jeep in for the B03 Park Brake Assembly recall in November of 2023. The original OEM unit could still hold the park brake if used a certain way, but I figured a new one would be better. Guess I was wrong, as the replaced Park Brake Assembly will not hold anymore at all, after only 2 or 3 years of use. This Assembly began to fail around Dec 2025. I had learned that there was only a ... Read more

Incident date: May 30, 2026

I purchased this vehicle on 2/1 and the recall was issued 2/2. I was notified about the recall on 2/9 and contacted the dealer the same day. I was told they weren't prepared to handle it and to call back later. I called back towards the end of the month and was added to a wait list. I was told they would have to wait for the parts. I called back a couple weeks later and was told there are approxim... Read more

Incident date: Jul 5, 2026

My car had begun to accelerate when pressing the brake pedal. The first time it happened the car kinda stuttered as it fought itself, but the car stopped. That was also the only time it stuttered and corrected itself. The next few times it happened, the car was not as easy to control but was able to stop safely. I took the car in to the dealer to have it checked, but the problem could not be repl... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jun 24, 2026

On XXX, while my wife was driving our 2017 Honda Pilot Elite (VIN: [XXX]) southbound on [XXX], approaching the intersection with [XXX], the vehicle experienced a complete engine stall due to the Auto Idle Stop feature. The engine shut off at a stop but failed to automatically restart when she released the brake to proceed. All dashboard warning lights flashed, and the vehicle became inoperable in... Read more

Incident date: Jul 5, 2026

ABS module is bad, shooting codes on dash, disable cruise, worried about issues with braking.

Incident date: Jun 2, 2026

This is a corrected supplement to my prior NHTSA complaints #XXX and #XXX for the 2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid, VIN [XXX]. It corrects the mileage in # XXX: the odometer at the XXX collision was approximately 68,000 miles (a current reading was auto-populated into the incident field on the prior form), and the vehicle's current odometer is 119,379 miles. I request that the Office of Defects Investi... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Sep 25, 2025

My breaks have been squealing on my 2024 Traverse since about 6 months after my purchase in 2024. I have taken it to the dealership on multiple occasions and they stated that GM knows of the issue but there is no fix. The system states my front breaks are low. I recently took my Traverse to a break repair/replacement shop and they stated my breaks are not low and they look great and numerous peopl... Read more

Incident date: Jul 7, 2026

The local authorized Honda service center has failed to resolve this threat. Below is the mandatory timeline and documentation regarding this defect: [Date of Incident #1 – XXX]: While driving at approximately 35 MPH on a open road with no obstructions, the vehicle abruptly engaged heavy emergency braking without warning. This nearly caused myself to get into a severe rear-end collision. [In-pe... Read more

Crash 7 injured

Incident date: Dec 1, 2024

1. Sudden Unintended Acceleration On two (2) separate occasions, after coming to a complete stop at a red light with foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly lurched forward on its own. 2. Brake Pedal Malfunction On more than ten (10) occasions, when attempting to stop at a light, the brake pedal briefly behaves like the accelerator for approximately 1–2 seconds. Driver has to release th... Read more

Incident date: May 21, 2026

Incident date: Oct 1, 2025

I am experiencing a serious safety issue with my 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan. While the vehicle is in motion—either moving forward or in reverse—it will unexpectedly shift itself into PARK and engage the electronic parking brake. This has occurred several dozen times and creates an extremely dangerous situation, increasing the risk of a collision, injury, or other catastrophic accident. The Volkswa... Read more

Incident date: Jun 27, 2026

Brakes after use a few times gets hard to push and dont work aswell then they heat up over time and start smoking.

Incident date: May 24, 2026

Florida Miss firing lights on

Incident date: Jul 6, 2026

While driving home from work. I heard a pop and seen smoke coming from my tire. I pulled over and seen fire behind the wheel. After looking it over the emergency parking brake motor that attaches to the brake caliper was blown apart. The pistons in the caliper pushed so hard against the brake pad that it was bent to a 90 degree angle. Had to replace pads, rotors, and calipers in both sides.

Fire

Incident date: Apr 1, 2026

Incident date: Jun 29, 2026

When shifting to park, car alerts to “shift to park”

Incident date: Jul 1, 2026

VIN: [XXX] •Make/Model/Year: 2018 Volvo XC90 •Mileage at time of each incident (58,385 / 58,480 / 68,261) •Approximate dates of each incident Vehicle has experienced recurring brake system failures. First, a seized rear brake caliper (Sept 2025) requiring caliper/rotor/pad replacement. Four days later, brake pedal became stiff and hard to depress; brake booster diagnosed as internally fail... Read more

Incident date: Jun 26, 2026

The self leveling shocks have gone bad two times now in a matter of 4 months. The first time we had no major issues but the second time it caused the ABS system to kick in while making a left turn. The dealer said it was caused by the car not sensing the correct posture because of the shocks turning on the ABS system and causing us not to be able to brake for about 10-15 feet. If there was a perso... Read more

Incident date: Jun 23, 2026

Had recall for parking brake fixed, soon after I’d be on interstate or intersection and it would lose power wrench and check power train system light came on. Took to dealership and they said it was parking pawl sylenuod. Had repaired left the shop didn’t even get home and it did the same: Mechanic said it was gas pedal sensor repaired that and same thing happened it may go real fast or not go... Read more

Incident date: Jul 2, 2026

While driving, the brakes became hard and the vehicle was difficult to stop. The brake pedal required excessive force, brake assist was reduced, and the stopping distance increased, creating a serious safety hazard. The check engine light had been illuminated for approximately two years before the brake failure occurred. In January 2024, I reported brake-related concerns to a Chevrolet dealership ... Read more

Incident date: May 20, 2025

Stopped at the gas pump and filled up. When I went to leave all dash lights were lit up and car wouldn’t move. Brakes were locked. I tried restarting and restarting. Brakes would lock up when I tried to move, either direction. I finally gases it enough that it screeched the tires to move it from in front of the gas pump.

Incident date: Aug 11, 2025

The front passenger brake caliper came completely off when I was driving.the only warning I had was when my brake pedal went straight to the floor when depressed.i was forced to pull into a gas station and keep driving in circles till the vehicle slowed enough to drive into a curb to stop so I could put the vehicle in park.i then had my vehicle towed home and replaced the part myself as I dont fee... Read more

Incident date: Jun 5, 2026

Previous report filed 07/02/2026

Crash

Incident date: Jun 27, 2026

The ABS, Traction Control, & Trailer Braking system no longer function. The vehicle is still drivable, technically unsafely. Warning lights for these system on all the time. I took vehicle to my local repair shop and was told the ABS Controller Module has failed (code C2200-49 indicating an internal electronic failure within the controller). I was quoted a replacement cost of $1579 + tax. I was a... Read more

Incident date: Mar 2, 2026

This event occurred after a history of ABS system issues as well as Infotainment system issues since 10k miles. During morning commute at approximately 60 mph, all dash warnings began to chime associated with the Touring features of the sedan. TPMS, Collision Avoidance, Braking System, Lane Departure, etc. AND Electric Power Steering. The steering wheel clicked and immediately became difficult t... Read more

Incident date: Mar 27, 2026

NHTSA / Center for Auto Safety Formal Complaint Vehicle Information: * Year / Make / Model: 2014 Ford F-150 * Component Category: Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) * Affected Part: ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) / Valve Assembly (Part # DL3Z-2C215-A / DL3Z-2C215-C) Incident / Issue Summary: I am reporting a critical safety concern involving a failure of the Anti-Lock Brak... Read more

Incident date: Feb 1, 2025

1. car flashed text on dash "stop safely vehicle will shut off soon". this was when it was 'off' (vehicle was stuck not in park and it was unclear if engine was on or off, but could not shift gears or move car). I'm concerned the vehicle has electric failures and I drive a lot and with children on highways. Warnings for transmission, electric kept cycling. 2. safety was it was a big parking lot ... Read more

Incident date: May 18, 2025

Defect: On Freightliner Custom Chassis diesel motorhomes the entire instrument cluster is a single all-digital "OptiView" LCD (Medallion 12.3", part 66-02439-000). The factory adhesive bonding the cover glass to the LCD delaminates under normal service, spreading bubbles and haze across the screen. It is widely reported across many coach brands on this chassis (Newmar, Tiffin, Coachmen, Winnebago,... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 2024

Truck has ABS and Traction Control warning lights alerting. Itermittent failure of brake system. Responsible for an accident 4/13/2026. Dealership has not notified but are sending out recall letters for July 2026. I have a video that illustrates the issues with ABS.

Crash

Incident date: Jul 3, 2026

The break calipers keep sticking and need to be replaced at least once per year. The stick and cause an awful black smoke. The last time they were replaced was almost a year ago to date.

Incident date: Jun 9, 2026

While driving roughly 15 MPH, my car displayed emergency messages, brake applied automatically by the vehicle and the power steering failed. In order for me to get out of the way of traffic in an intersection, I had to veer to the opposite side of the road passing oncoming traffic. The following lights were displayed "TSA, Hill start assist problem vehicle may roll upon brake release, Vehicle Stab... Read more

Incident date: Jul 1, 2026

On XXX, the oil warning light was illuminated in our 2017 Kia Sorento SXL and that the vehicle was leaking oil. We brought the vehicle to an independent repair facility (Tire Kingdom, Cairo, NY) for diagnosis on XXX. The repair facility provided an oral assessment with photographs indicating a suspected rear main seal leak. The engine was dry on the top but excessively wet between the engine and ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 30, 2026

Vehicle is unsafe to drive due to the loss of ABS and traction control. The constant dinging of the warning is very distracting. Stellantis, Ram Trucks, and local dealers do not seem to care that this has been an ongoing issue for over a year and still do not have any parts for the recall.

Incident date: Jun 17, 2026

Brakes feel squishy again, feels like it won’t stop, vehicle leak, tpms light on

Incident date: Feb 18, 2018

My cars brakes on its own at any speed with no surrounding objects. Car is always popping up with service issues. Super cruise bar in steering wheel cracked from summer heat now just dangles. Car locks and will not let you out of the vehicle.

Incident date: Jul 1, 2026

While driving on the parkway, the engine revved, and then the brakes became hard as a brick. The truck was unable to be stopped. There were no warning lamps or indications there was a problem, it happened suddenly and immediately. Other drivers' and my own safety was at risk because I could not stop the truck. Here is the diagnosis from the GM service center where it was towed to: "After the remov... Read more

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Consumer Safety Complaints

What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?

How to interpret what you read

If you've experienced a defect

Read more from our blog