Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 77,487 complaints — component: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 BMW I5. The contact stated that while driving at 6 MPH before dawn, the brakes became inoperable while making a left turn and a right U-turn around a van. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard, went up the curb, made a quick right turn to avoid a major crash, and eventually crashed into a hedge and a sign. The driver shifted to neutral, and the vehicle rolled to t... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
On Monday, April 6th, I was turning into a parking lot and the braking system, specifically the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake control module, appeared to malfunction. While driving, I received a warning indicating the ABS was off, and the brake pedal became soft with reduced stopping ability. The check engine light also came on. I had to coast the vehicle to a complete stop. ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2026
I am reporting a recurring safety issue with the vehicle’s auto engine stop/start system. When the vehicle comes to a stop, the engine sometimes shuts off normally (other time only the auto-brakes engage, but engine stays on), but then the system behaves unpredictably. The engine attempts to restart with a violent jolt, causing the entire vehicle to shake. This occurs even when I am fully sto... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
Today when we attempted to back out of our driveway, the ABS came on unexpectedly and stopped the vehicle for no reason (spilling my hot coffee in my lap). I set the parking brake and got out of the car and walked around the back but there was no obstacle in the way or under the vehicle. I got back in, tried again and it locked up again. I then backed up the rest of the way, shifted to drive an... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately at 65 MPH, and applying the brake pedal to exit off a ramp, the vehicle failed to decelerate. The contact continued to press the brake pedal; however, the vehicle did not stop, causing them to rear-end another vehicle, which caused their vehicle to come to an abrupt stop. The air bags did not deploy. The co... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
ABS Module has been on backorder since 2021. Cannot get an ETA on part from the dealership. They advised its been on backorder 3 yrs at the time issue was confirmed. 9 months to date on backorder list. No traction control, ABS, cruise control and emergency brake. The vehicle has lost speed making it not maintain a speed on hills, and highway. Vehicle feels unstable.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2019) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 7, 2026
Incident date: Apr 5, 2026
Subject: Vehicle Fire Following ABS Recall Repair – Safety Complaint I am filing a safety complaint regarding a vehicle fire that occurred shortly after a recall repair was performed. Vehicle: Jeep (Grand Cherokee/2019) Mileage at time of incident: Approximate: 58,350 Approximately four weeks ago, my vehicle underwent a recall repair related to the ABS system at Westgate Jeep located in Rale... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 28, 2025
Brakes failed completely and car rolled down a steep driveway and flipped.
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
I was parking my car a Hyundai Ioniq 6, in an easy parking space when I briefly removed my foot, which was lightly depressed on the gas pedal to hit the brake pedal, the car suddenly accelerated jumped the curb hit another car and hit a tree. The airbag did not deploy I am uninjured. The other car was parked, but was damaged. My car was damaged. It all happened in about two or three seconds and my... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
No incident has happened yet but I don’t want an incident to happen to get this fixed. The HCU and ABS are not working properly or at all I’m not too sure. The sensors on the truck don’t work. The 4x4 don’t work either. The cruise control doesn’t work either. I need my truck fixed asap.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
My complaint does not involve an accident. The brakes on the 2024 Acadia Elevation are squealing very loudly, and have been doing so for the past six months or so. I have approximately 18,000 miles on it. I took my vehicle to the dealership twice for this issue, and I was told this time that the brakes are still good (still 8mm of pads) - even though it was showing 22% brake pad. They told me abo... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
SPRINTER 2500
(2021) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 6, 2026
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
I am a Amazon driver and my dsp makes us drive with very bad safety hazards on the vehicle the step up platform on the vehicle is broken brakes are terrible and the airbag sensors and tire pressure sensors are not working and very bad.
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
On April 2nd, 2026. I was driving this car into a parking space. I had to be going 5 mph. Or slower. Probably even slower. Pulling in.. I applied the brakes of course. The car wouldn’t stop. My husband/passenger told me to STOP. I did stop. This car kept rolling and crashed/smashed/ hit the brick red building in front of us. No brake hold was displayed.. no nothing. No brake stop. Nooooo nothing... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
The car gets stuck and will not shift out of park. I've had to use the manual override. And when the ambulance came to my house, I could not move my car out of the way fast enough and this delayed emergency response team. I thought it was a one time fluke, but it started happening again this week (4/1/26) Every time I use the car. This cannot be safe.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
When braking my 2022 Hyundai Tucson to come to a stop, the vehicle continues to accelerate. I have to release the brake and re-apply the brake to fix the acceleration problem. I check the internet on this problem. They internet says it is a software problem. The vehicle shows no code and the dealer says they don't have a problem. The dealer has not check for the problem since there is no code. No ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the braking system's failure message was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle had stopped independently. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and continued driving, but stated that the warning light was illuminated while driving downhill. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer,... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
Air suspension/vehicle height Brake systems were taken away (adaptive cruise, anti collision and lane mitigation) Yes confirmed by dealer Yes Yes warning lights
Incident date: Sep 2, 2025
Around 80k miles the ABS module went bad giving a C-2200-49 code and displaying the traction control light, abs light and red brake light illuminated. A new module is estimated at 6 months wait time, mine was ordered in September 2025 and just arrived in April 2026, my vehicle could not pass state inspection until the issue was fixed.
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
Hello, In my 2025 Tuscan Hybrid, the vehicle all of a sudden came to a near complete stop driving down the highway at lower speeds due to vehicles in front of me slowing down before a tunnel. While it was apparent I had to slow down, there was no immediate danger to me potentially crashing into the car in front of me which is why I am concerned the car is over reacting to my environment whilst dr... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2009) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 6, 2026
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
The vehicle experienced a complete loss of communication with the ABS control module, resulting in multiple warning lights and loss of ABS and related safety systems. The failure is consistent with Volkswagen Recall 45F2, which describes internal ground and solder failures in the ABS module. Prior to total failure, the vehicle exhibited intermittent warning lights and an ABS fault code (01130 –... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2018) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 5, 2026
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
Recall on the hydraulic control unit/anti-lock brake system A brake light incorrectly resulting other drivers not receiving proper indication to stop or slow down which can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. Call my local dealership and MOPAR and informed me that they still do not have the part to fix this recall. It has been more an an year and half without resolution. They have not i... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2026
This happens every single day, not just today, but are two separate issues related to my brakes. 1- squealing brakes. Every single day and for several miles before they warm up. The first time I brought this issue to the attention of the dealership, they replaced the brakes, and there was no squealing for just a few days. I forced the dealership within a week to let them know, I had to bring it ba... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2026
While driving, three warning lights suddenly appeared on the dashboard . Abs warning, traction light, and break warning light At the same time, the brake pedal became very hard to press, and the vehicle did not slow down as expected. This caused a significant increase in stopping distance, and I nearly rear-ended the vehicle in front of me. The issue appears to involve the braking system and cre... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
I brought this car in August 2022 and now out of no where the rear breaking collision system is randomly malfunctioning. There will be nothing near my vehicle or in the line of sight and when you reverse it just slams on breaks and will continue to doo so very few seconds causing loud grinding. this will stop for a few days or weeks and randomly starts up again which causes problems when parking o... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
On April 2nd I took my vehicle into the dealer for recall servicing. After leaving the dealer I had my vehicle inspected the next day by a third party repair shop and my brake caliper was missing the main bolt that connects to the brake pad. Brake pads were also less than 5% wear remaining. Myself and others were put in serious danger if my brakes had failed due to this serious oversight and disre... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2026
1. The vehicle accelerated rapidly and uncontrollably without my touching the gas pedal and despite my slamming the breaks. 2 The vehicle jumped a curb and slammed into a parked car. Someone could have been easily killed if they were in front of the vehicle. 3. Not yet. I will have it towed to the dealer tomorrow. 4. No, See #3 above. 5. No. This was the first time this happened.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
When I'm in the car, the brake booster keeps recharging with out touching the brake pedal. Also, the car has problems when I apply the brakes while driving. They make a hissing and popping noise and the braking is spongy. I have had braking warning lights come on as well. It is similar to what others have been describing as the brake booster and pump actuator issue with these Prius V cars. This ha... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
A couple of times on as well as off pavement when traveling on a decline I depress the brake pedal and it only very softly applied the brakes. I have to press very hard to come to a stop. Much harder than normal. Once (off pavement) they did not work until the third time I pressed them. The pedal just went to the bottom. Normally the steep decline seems to be associated to the issue.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
I had a service airbag, service parking brake and the seatbelt light starts flashing. It happens every time I drive the vehicle and I had it looked at by a mechanic and they see no issue with the sensors. They told me to check for any recalls and I don’t see any here.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
Brake system makes horrible noises, abs goes wild, brakes click from controller when pedal is pressed
Incident date: Dec 22, 2025
On Monday 12/22 at around 10:30am, I was driving back from Stanford CA where I have been taking my mom to her radiation therapy appointments. All of a sudden my brakes got super hard (Service Brake Assist appeared) and when pressing the brake pedal it continued to accelerate, I was able to swerve to my right hand side went over a curved side wall and pulled over before almost crashing the car in f... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2024) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 4, 2026
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
Car suddenly accelerates on its own and does not respond to breaks.
Crash
VOLKSWAGEN
TAOS
(2023) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 4, 2026
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
Rear brake wearing out extremely fast. No warning from VW Replaced twice in 40 000
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
I have repeatedly received an error on my vehicle dashboard stating " 1 pedal drive fault: Press break pedal to reduce speed". I have taken my vehicle to the dealer twice for this and was told both times that it was not reproducible and therefore nothing that could be fixed. I was told there was an active recall and that it has been repaired. Today after coming to a complete stop I let go of the b... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
While backing out of a parking place my husband noticed he couldn't stop the 2025 Acadia and almost hit restraunt behind us, while pusing on the break. He then started to go forward and kept saying "I can't stop it, it won't stop, I'm pushing on the break." The vehicle then went forward and couldn't stop even pushing on the break. I tried pusing the button to turn off the 2025 Acadia a couple ti... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2025
On July 28, 2025, while driving the vehicle on public street, a warning flashed that the brakes have failed. In fact the brakes were totally inoperative. Driver was able to clear traffic and exit the roadway without incident. The Cadillac dealership found no issue with the brakes, but did "update the brake control module." In March, 2026 a crack in the windshield appeared. Safelite Compan... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
The system malfunctioning is the front sensor braking. My safety and others were put at risk with this because multiple times my car has braked me and or completely stopped me because it’s malfunctioning , it happens while I am on a busy street and someone even almost rear ended me because my car braked out of nowhere. It’s called “Phantom Braking”. No, the problem has not been confirmed b... Read more
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
While driving on a clear road, with or without heavy traffic, the collision mitigation warning shows up on the dashboard display. Sometimes the warning for the collision system goes off and the system tries to brake and jerk the wheel. If I have the wheel firmly I can correct it and it resolves. It can happen on a clear road with no one around or in heavy traffic. Yesterday it happened in a sing... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2026
Owner bought new 2021 Camry XLR 4 cylinder all wheel drive. It currently has 39,000 miles on it. No problems until January 25, 2026. It was 11 degrees below zero, my car had the original battery. Car started without issue, I return to house to "warm it up" prior to driving. Upon my return I had multiple error codes; 1. AWD System Malfunction, 2 WD Engaged (Visit your Dealer), Secondary Collision B... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
Brakes went out while driving. Brake fluid reservoir is full.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
Per AAA—Front Airbag/Seatbelt and Increase break pedal
TOYOTA
RAV4 PRIME
(2024) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 4, 2026
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
I am reporting a serious safety issue involving my vehicle where the braking system did not respond as expected during an emergency. While traveling southbound on I-575 in Georgia, I experienced a sudden tire blowout. As I moved to the shoulder and applied the brakes firmly, the vehicle did not slow down as expected. Despite pressing the brake pedal continuously and with significant force, the ve... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2025
At Random, the dashboard will light up with a red brake light, the check engine light, front end collision warning, and the ABS warning light. IT gives me several messages as well. Service electronic stability control, Auto emergency Braking Active Braking off, Auto emergency Braking unavailable Service Required. When this happens the brake pedal is impossible to push and it takes every ounce of p... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
I had gotten into a head on collision in January. My insurance had refused to cover me because I had only been insured for a month. Now I’m trying to get it fix out of pocket. I’m finding out about more repairs needed ASAP. My engine might be gone.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
Received a recall statement for the brake system master cylinder. Called Bowen Scarff Ford Dealership and made an appointment to have it repaired, and then they called and cancelled the appointment stating the part was on backorder with an indefinite timeline for availability. I asked them to open a repair order today 4/3/26 so it’s documented I tried and they told me “you are on the list”. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
I have a 2018 RAM 1500 Tradesman 2WD truck that the the ABS warning ligh as well as check engine, brakes warning light keeps staying on. I am very concerned about this as it may cause me to NOT be able to brake in time to. Also the cruise control does not work. I've taken it to several different mechanics as well as Autozone and I'm told the error code is C2200-49 which is the Anti-lock Brake Mod... Read more
TOYOTA
SIENNA HYBRID
(2022) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 3, 2026
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
While braking, when the vehicle switches from regenerative braking to conventional, the vehical lurches or momentarily speeds up before stopping. All while brake petal is depressed.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
I am reporting a recurring and dangerous brake system failure in my 2010 Honda Odyssey. Intermittently, when the vehicle is first started, the brake pedal becomes completely stiff and cannot be depressed at all. During these events, the brakes are effectively non-functional until the condition resolves, creating a serious safety hazard. This issue occurs without warning and has happened on multip... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
While driving at approximately 45 mph, the regenerative braking feature of the vehicle suddenly failed, and also generated a master caution light on the dashboard display. This is the second time this has happened while driving and resulted in a sudden, alarming change in vehicle dynamics. Regenerative braking is the normal operation regime of the vehicle, with the traditional mechanical-hydraul... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
Rear brake automatic parking brake motor locked rear wheels. Dealership diagnosed and repaired at my cost. Service parking brake light illuminated and rear brakes locked not allowing vehicle to be moved. After a few restarts brakes released.