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: Feb 1, 2026
I previously reported a safety issue re. Brakes not working in park. Vehicle rolled back and car almost hit mom and young daughter walking behind vehicle in parking lot. When I brought it to BellFord in [XXX] they told me it was not covered under the recall since it wasn’t being caused by rear axle. Instead they wanted to charge me $3,000 to diagnose their manufacturing defect. In addition whe... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2026
Automatic braking engages when there is no actual hazard present and brings vehicle to a full stop. This causes a serious whiplash hazard to me and my passengers as our heads are thrown forward unnecessarily. It also significantly increases the risk of being rear ended by the vehicle behind me. This has happened on several occasions. Today it occurred because the car hit a small bump in the ro... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
Honda hrv 2025 malfunctioning when brake hold system is activated. Brake hold system lets individuals use the brake whenever needed without your foot having to be on the pedal the entire time. You can come to a red light, step on the pedal and take your foot off the pedal and the car will remain stopped until you press on the gas. Over the course of leasing this vehicle sometimes the brake system ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
2008 Toyota Prius gen2 with 139k miles. ABS, Brake, parking brake, and Traction Control lights all illuminated while driving the other day. Potential is losing all electronically assisted braking function in the car. Problem has been confirmed by local independent service center. Independent service center pulled codes: C1256 Accumulator low pressure C1378 Capacitor Communication Malfunction C... Read more
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2022) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 18, 2026
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
Parking brake malfunction indicated. Ford CSP 22P31 covers repair of the issue for vehichles with a manufacture date before 3/15/22. My vehicle reached the US on 6/22/22. Ford has offered to cover a small part of the repair, but won't include me in the fix due to manufacture date. So Ford ended the program, NEVER FIXED THE ISSUE, and now won't offer to repair my car.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2026
I am writing to report a serious safety concern related to a recent over-the-air software update for my 2025 Volvo XC90. On March 10, 2026, I was prompted to install a software update and scheduled it to complete overnight. The following morning, the vehicle interface indicated that the update had been successfully completed. Additionally, during a routine service visit on March 12, 2026, dealers... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
I own a 2017 Kia Sorento SX 3.3L V6 FWD with 68,000 miles and full documented service history. The HECU (Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit) failed, disabling the ABS and electronic stability control system. This is a known defect covered under Kia's settlement for some Sorento vehicles with identical HECU components. Despite the same defect occurring on my 2017 model, it was excluded from the sett... Read more
ALFA ROMEO
GIULIA
(2020) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 18, 2026
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
This is regarding a ABS unit that under the part number for this Vehicle it shows it meets the recall but it is not listed under vin number in order to get repairs correctly completed for this vehicle. Vehicle was diag. and confirmed issue at a local auto repair shop. ABS warning msg, is present on display, engine light on due to abs pump, as well braking issue is also present. When running part n... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
Losing all power to the brakes.
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
The vehicle's rear brake lines (both left rear and right rear) had ballooning present. The issue was initially identified by an independent mechanic during brake pad and rotor replacement on all four wheels. The ballooning was subsequently confirmed during an inspection by a Subaru dealership technician. This issue posed a safety risk, as the compromised brake lines could rupture under braking pre... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
The recall for theABS HCU has been in place for well over a year with no parts. Nothing is being done with this recall. My ABS HCU has not been working in two years causing loss of traction control, no ABS, no cruise control. I was almost in a head on collision with a car in my lane and the truck skidded off the road. Luckily there’s was no collision or injury. It is ridiculous that ram still of... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2023) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 18, 2026
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
Vehicle previously brought to dealership for recall and reported issue where vehicle abruptly stops/brakes without cause. Dealer did not resolve. On 3/16/26 vehicle came to a complete stop in roadway, shifted into park, and could not be moved into drive, neutral, or reverse. Driver was stranded in a dangerous situation with infant in vehicle. Dealer unable to inspect for weeks and refused loaner. ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2026
I contact the Hyundai dealer about my 2016 Hyundai sonata. for all I know those vehicles have recalls with engine failure/stalling due to premature rod bearing wear, fire risks from malfunctioning electric oil pumps. My car is having those exact problems with the abs lights being on and is also have problems with the VVT sprocket. And the oil I called Hyundai and they said my vehicle only has a re... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2025
Brakes squeak/squeal very loudly and often, no matter if it’s cold, rainy, hot or humid. It was only squeaking/squealing when applying the brakes while backing up but now starting to squeak/squeal when applying the brakes while moving forward. Seems to be getting worse. Spoke to the dealer and they say there’s nothing they can do until Toyota comes up with a fix.
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
3 times my car has been in for rotors my car is not even a year old 10/25 resurfaced rotors 1/26 brand new rotors 3/26 rotors warped having to resurface the new rotors this shouldn’t be happening on a new car I don’t ride my breaks I have had new cars all my life never had break issues
Incident date: Feb 12, 2026
I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2023 Buick Encore GX that repeatedly shuts off while driving and doesn’t restart when auto stop is on, it leaves me stranded in traffic. The vehicle has been in the shop multiple times since February 13, and the issue has not been resolved. A service advisor has stated he is not comfortable putting me back in the vehicle and wants to help get me out ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
I purchased this vehicle on January 5, 2026, from a family-owned dealership in Broken Arrow, OK. The vehicle was purchased “as-is” with a guarantee of sale and a Carfax report. After purchasing the vehicle, I drove it home and it remained parked until January 8, 2026. On Thursday, January 8, 2026, the vehicle experienced an unexpected engine stall while I was driving. At the same time, the sli... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2026
Check engine light is on almost constantly on my car. It might turn off and stay that way for a couple of days, but always comes on again. Dealership had made two attempts to "fix" it by just clearing the faults. However, according to the service department the reason why check engine light came on was "faults for loss of communication to powertrain electronics and brake electronics" which i think... Read more
GMC
HUMMER EV SUV
(2024) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 17, 2026
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
While operating my 2024 GMC Hummer EV at a low speed in a school zone, I came to a complete stop at a stop sign and began making a left turn. As I initiated the turn, the steering wheel suddenly locked and became unresponsive. I was unable to turn the wheel back to the right or regain control of the vehicle’s direction. At the same time, the vehicle did not respond as expected when attempting t... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
My Honda Pilot automatically applied the brakes 2 times while traveling on the interstate at 60 mph when there was no one in front of me and no one even near me. Both times it applied the brakes automatically and suddenly for no reason. It could have caused a bad accident. I was fortunate no one was behind me. Honda denies anything is wrong because it didn’t do it for them when they took it for ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
2014 Jeep Wrangler ABS module failure, part number 68145835AE Dash light for ABS and Brake warning light are constant on the dash. This is the 2nd 2014 Jeep Wrangler I have owned that has this problem. It has been diagnosed by the Jeep dealer and another mechanic. The part is on National back order. I ordered the first one in 2024 and it has not been available. I have done a bunch of research... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2009) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 17, 2026
Incident date: Feb 7, 2026
While riding my 2009 ultra classic cvc Harley davidson motorcycle the front brake level became stiff and eventually did not compress, no front brakes, while attempting to stop. The rear brake still operated normally. In an emergency, this could cause serious injury or death with front brake failing and possible rear brake failure at same time. a local repair shop inspected the brakes and attempted... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
Car started making a load vibrational noise on the highway. When we got to the next stopping point, the right front brakes were extremely hot and smelly. When the brakes were taken apart to inspect/replace parts, it was identified that the seals that protect the pistons had shrunk and were no longer attached to the caliper/piston. Corrosion was evident because of this causing a sticky caliper. Con... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
Fortunately the vehicle was not in an accident. About a month ago ABS and traction control lights came on. Took pickup to mechanic with a C2200-49 code. Mechanic said the dealer could only fix the issue. Took to the dealer a couple of weeks ago and am now on a wait list with no indication when a repair can be made because of part availability. This problem seems to be the same as Ram 2500s have an... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
My truck only has 16,600 miles on it and the rotors and brakes are already shuddering. The dealership told me I needed my front and rear brakes and rotors replaced. It is beyond ridiculous when my last truck a 2020 Chevy Colorado had no rotor or brake problems and have 90,000 miles when I traded it in.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
ABS HCU recall has not been rectified. This recall is now over 15 months old, and the problem has been known for over 3 years (see class action lawsuit) without a foreseeable remedy. This results in a major safety issue and driving performance issue not being addressed and there is apparently no regulatory movement to force a solution. At this point, FCA and NHTSA need to institute a vehicle buyba... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
ABS Module component has failed which controls anti-lock brakes, cruise control and traction control. Jeep has no stock of ABS Modules, and no production dates for potential fix. Therefore these Jeeps have reverted a decade or two in safety losing their ABS, traction control and going into limp mode, which prevents you from driving (I have not experienced limp mode but neither do I wish for th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 12, 2024
Just like many other people have wrote about, the ABS SENSOR is defective. The ABS light comes and the traction light does also. Jeep has been aware of the problem for 18 months to 2 years. There is no fix or replacement sensor in sight.
Incident date: Jan 21, 2026
Drivetrain malfunction creating error message of critical failure on brake system and chassis. The first of 2 such issues so far in 4 months of ownership. Car is under original mfr warranty. Dealer charged $600 to fix. This is a PHEV and with the electrical system issues it prevents the car from functioning safely
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 17, 2026
Incident date: Mar 17, 2026
Request for Investigation: Volkswagen is intentionally ignoring a widespread GPS/SOS module failure and leaving thousands of battery fire hazards on the road, while its dealers exploit safety service visits to extort customers. I urge the NHTSA to launch a formal investigation into VW’s failure to recall the defective GPS modules and their systemic practice of offering cash settlements to suppre... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The dash board showed the (A)auto start stop amd the (P) parking brake after hitting a puddle in rain. I brought the vehicle into the dealership for service on 4/18/2025 . They replaced the right rear caliper and EPB actuator and it temporarily fixed it. The lights still came on but would go off in rainy conditions. They came back on and didn’t go off so I brought it back to the dealership in ag... Read more
TOYOTA
CAMRY HYBRID
(2026) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 17, 2026
Incident date: Dec 9, 2025
I purchased a 2026 Toyota Camry SE in November 2025. The hybrid battery has stop working several times also the steering system has failed as well. I am told the hybrid battery is defective. Toyota the Manufacture has refused to replace it. I am afraid for my safety.
Incident date: Mar 17, 2026
Following a "secondary" botched windshield replacement within 3 weeks performed by the Tesla Service Center in Carle Place, NY, my Tesla Model Y experienced a catastrophic structural water intrusion during rainfall. A great amounts of water dripping directly through the windshield seal into the cabin, soaking the dashboard electronics, floorboards, and much more water coming in from the brake peda... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
Brake actuator assembly known issue in Prius C, Toyota refuses to do anything about it. Part is not cheap.
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
On 10/29/25 I brought the vehicle in to Richard Lucas Chevrolet due to the alert from my insurance co that there was a recall with parking brake system. The dealership checked the car and told me they had to order the part that was needed due to the recall. Prior I also made the dealer aware that the car had recently stalled on me in the middle of the street, I was told by the dealership that this... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
The ABS control module needs replacing. The day it started with issues, my abs light as well as esc light, at first. Later all dash lights came on, loud beeping and eventually lost all power while driving. I understand the "fuse" was replaced during recall, but if the damage was already in the making, why should consumer have to pay? I have had it to two different mechanics, first was hyundai d... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2026
I own a 2018 Toyota Camry XSE. The car is equipped with a radar cruise control and automatic braking system that will brake the car if programming believes there is risk of an accident. The problem is this is all front-based monitory and no rear based monitoring. Recently I was traveling the speed limit on a 4-lane highway when a car stopped abruptly in the turn lane in which I was following. ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2026
I am filing this complaint to report a serious safety failure involving the service braking system and the failure of Forward Collision‑Avoidance Assist (FCA) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) on my 2021 Kia Soul. During an imminent collision event, the vehicle failed to brake as expected, and FCA/AEB did not activate, despite conditions that should have triggered emergency braking. This cre... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
A safety recall has been issued for my 2019 Coachmen Leprechaun motorhome (VIN: [XXX] ) built on a GM chassis. The recalled component/system is the subject of an active manufacturer recall; the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I have attempted multiple times to complete the recall repair through General Motors. However, there is no Chevrolet/GM dealership within approximately 2.5 ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 13, 2026
The anti lock brake system malfunctioned, the ABS, ESP/BAS and traction control lights are on. It kicked a code C2116 which reads ABS pump motor supply low voltage. I took it to a brake shop and they said the pump motor needs replaces but I would have to find one since they don’t stock it. I call several Dodge dealers and was told the part is discontinued and no longer available. I searched on l... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2026
While driving a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado on Interstate 95 in Florida, the vehicle suddenly experienced a loss of brake assist. The brake pedal became extremely hard and very difficult to press. The driver had difficulty slowing the vehicle and had to use the emergency brake to help bring the vehicle to a stop. This occurred on Interstate 95, which is a very busy highway with high-speed traffic. Th... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
This concerns my 2025 Subaru Outback Touring XT- with a turbo charges engine and standardd CVT transmission. When I get to street speed and brake to slow down, as the car slows and the tach decreases to 1000 rpm +/- a bit, the car shows an obvious power surge that can be felt through the accelerator and brake pedal and can be clearly seen on the tach as a jump to about 1100 rpm + . I had the fi... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2007) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 16, 2026
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
I was stopped in the left hand turn lane, then accelerated to cross 2 lanes of traffic. I then let off the accelerator, and applied the brakes to stop, and the brakes did not function. I then rear ended a vehicle in front of me due to the intermittent loss of brakes. It may have also been the propulsion system kept going. Either way the vehicle maintained the same speed of about 15mph until I c... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
Vacuum pump exploded into camshaft and engine area, causing me to lose brakes completely on the highway. Costly repairs to clear out metal shrapnel and replace camshaft.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2022) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 16, 2026
Incident date: Mar 14, 2026
Transmission Control Valve Body (Recall #N242454440) Your truck is part of the massive recall issued late last year (expanded in February 2026) regarding the 10-speed Allison transmission. The Problem: Internal wear in the valve body causes a drop in pressure, which can cause the rear wheels to lock up suddenly while you're driving. Multiple occurrences. It has been taken to the shop for t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The Service Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light, Parking Brake warning light, a wrench warning symbol, and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
When slowing down to stop and the brake is depressed, multiple occasions where the brakes don’t catch. The car jerks forward and I am unable to engage the brakes. I have ended up in the middle of an intersection due to this. It happens frequently, and Toyota continues to brush me off.
Incident date: Jan 4, 2026
Hello, My 2018 Acura MDX has moisture and water inside the inner tailgate (trunk) tail light assembly, which caused the light to stop working. I understand there is a recall affecting some 2014–2020 Acura MDX vehicles related to moisture entering the tailgate light assembly, and my vehicle appears to have the same issue. Recall link: [XXX] Last week I visited the Acura dealership(Acura Colum... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2026
I was parking my 2 month old car going only about 5 mph & had to press the brake all the way to the floor to stop. There were no warning lights. I had it towed to the dealership & the tow driver confirmed that there was a lot of play in the pedal. The dealership had it for almost a month & could not duplicate the issue or find the problem. I am afraid it will happen again. Hopefully, if so, it wil... Read more