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 3, 2026
While driving on the highway at approximately 65-70 mph the Automatic Emergency Braking system engaged for no apparent reason, no vehicles were around or near our vehicle. The sudden and unexpected braking could have cause a major accident resulting in serious injuries or worst had our vehicle been rear ended.
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2023) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 10, 2026
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
This complaint involves a sudden failure of my vehicle’s Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and Forward Collision Warning system, both of which are critical safety systems. While driving my [XXX] son to school, multiple warning lights suddenly appeared on the dashboard without any prior indication of a problem. The vehicle displayed a warning message instructing me not to exceed 36 miles per hour,... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
I own/lease a Nissan Pathfinder that currently has approximately 27,000 miles. At approximately 19,000 miles, the dealership resurfaced the brake rotors. The service department stated only that “sometimes it happens” and did not provide a diagnosis or explanation for the premature wear. Now, at approximately 27,000 miles, the dealership has informed me that the rear brake rotors and pads mus... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2024) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 10, 2026
Incident date: Mar 31, 2025
ABS Module problem that was affecting the performance of my 2011 Jeep Wrangler JKU to the point I almost had to stop driving it cause it wouldn't change out of 1st gear. This particular module in my jeep is on back order due to engineer review and the release date keeps getting pushed out. Dealer has to program VIN to match the Jeep if and when they ever get any in stock. The part needed is Anti... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
I was stopped at a red light with brake on, my vehicle leaped forward on its own three times, with the brake on, the force was so strong I thought someone rear-ended me. No warning lights, the acceleration was load.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
My ABS is not working due to a faulty ABS module or hydraulic control unit this has caused my truck to lock up the brakes during a hard stop instead of the ABS working it also has affected the cruise control. It no longer works. This is not an issue just with the 2500,3500 let’s get 1500 on board.
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
I recently took my 2008 honda goldwing vin: [XXX] to Broward Motorsports located at 2100 W Sunrise Blvd Suite 161, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 to complete a brake drag recall. this recall to the best of my knowledge was NHTSA Recall Number: 15V-700 (JV6) to address the brake drag issue where the rear brake locks after pressure is applied to the rear brake pedal. After the recall was allegedly compl... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
Driving on a 45 mph road and brakes felt squishy, like air was going out of them. It was slow to stop and had to pump then stomp to get it to stop before crashing. Was fortunate to not hit anything. Pulled into gas station and had it towed to Volvo. There were no warning lights or other indication of problem- the brakes just failed. Volvo said the vacuum pump failed which pushed oil into the brak... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
The vehicle is experiencing multiple serious mechanical failures affecting the brake system, powertrain, and steering/wheel components. The brake system produces a constant hissing sound and appears to have lost braking assist. When the brake pedal is depressed the vehicle continues to roll forward and requires excessive force to stop. The vehicle has rolled forward while braking at intersections,... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
The vehicle was unknowingly purchased with an improperly assembled braking system from which is formally known as Koeppel Nissan. The braking assembly failed during operation, resulting in loss of proper braking capability and causing a collision. The braking failure created a serious safety risk to the myself (the driver) and others on the roadway. There were no warning lights, dashboard message... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
HECU failure on my 2013 Kia. My specific VIN # is not included in this repair but the year make and model are under recall sc197. My brakes are going all the way floor. There is a leek internally inside the hydraylic electonic control unit which is a fire hazard as well as a hydraulic failure. This is a massive safety and liability concern.
Incident date: Aug 22, 2025
Vehicle does NOT come to a complete stop. It moves forward about an inch after I stop and park. It's being going on since I got the car. I assumed it was normal until I drove another car and it didn't happen.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
I have an open safety recall for 16 months (recall below). I and my family drive a Dodge Ram 3500 dually truck and haul my horses in a large gooseneck horse trailer. The recall states: “Safety RiskThe loss of ABS/ESC/Traction control may cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.” It’s not my problem that parts are not available. But it is my problem that I, my husband, or my daughter... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
My vehicle is under an active recall C4B/NHTSA 24V-896. This recall was issued on Nov 27, 2024. According to the manufacturer there is no repair part available as of today Mar9, 2026. That is completely unacceptable. My ABS system has been compromised for 2 years now. I have been driving with an ABS system that has failed and poses a great risk. Since this recall was issued 15 months have gon... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
On Wednesday, February 18th, I was driving on the freeway, usual heavy traffic right off of it at 5:00pm. When exiting and merging onto the street, I pressed on my break to slow down and meet the speed of traffic, but my breaks felt hard, I struggled pressing it down, and my car wasn’t slowing down. I was able to swerve off into a dirt patch next to the road. Then I panicked, unable to find wher... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2025
There is a dash light coming on and warning saying “front radar obstruction” causing car to randomly brake, and cruise control not to work. Thought it was originally from a deer I hit March 30, 2025. Replaced sensors, cameras, emblem, checked wiring, recalibrated, multiple diagnostic test all done by more than one person. No one can figure it out even after replacing and testing it’s still h... Read more
Crash
JEEP
WRANGLER 4XE
(2024) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 9, 2026
Incident date: Dec 25, 2025
On March 3, 2026, I went in for two oil leaks. I received a call saying my truck was ready. I went to pick up my, drove off into the freeway. Everything was running smoothly until the anti-braking system turned on, cutting off power to my brakes. I was in the second to the last lane, luckily I was able to get to the last lane. I was almost hit and almost caused a huge accident. The dealership has ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 6, 2025
The 2021 Jeep Cherokee sporadically and infrequently engages the parking brake and hazard flashers. In order to disengage it, the car must be put in park and turned off then on, sometimes repeatedly. It has happened multiple times when the car is at a stop and in drive (at a stoplight, etc.) Recently it started happening while driving. The parking brake engaged and the car slammed to a stop nea... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2026
Our 2019 Ram 1500 has less than 40,000 miles but now diagnosed with Internal Failure in ABS Module and Hydraulic control. There is currently no ABS recall linked to our VIN but a similar ABS recall covers our 2019 truck year and Ram 1500 truck model (24V-653). Dealership and Stellantis Recall support cannot help and declined our request for appeal on this. We are told we can later apply for reim... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
Vehicle: 2026 Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid Mileage at time of incident: 145 miles While driving on the highway with my family, I was passing a semi-truck when the vehicle suddenly and aggressively applied the brakes without any warning. The braking was strong enough that the vehicle shook violently and nearly caused me to lose control. This placed my family and surrounding drivers in immediate danger. ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2026
The Ford dealer where I bought this vehicle denies that there is a safety recall for this vehicle. That is Christina, Service Depart, Auto Nation Ford, Littleton, Colorado This recall states that I should not drive the vehicle until the recall has been serviced. I am unable to get Ford to honor the recall.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac Lyriq. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view safety sensor alert did not function as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the auto-braking safety sensor did not activate. The contact's vehicle crashed into a tree. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure... Read more
Crash
TRIUMPH
SCRAMBLER A2
(2017) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 9, 2026
Incident date: Feb 28, 2026
The brakes, turn signals, and hazards do not trigger the associated components and the controls for these do not work. The check engine light intermittently comes on and off with these symptoms. The front clutch cable has work through the protective housing at the front of the motorcycle against the electrical components.
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2019) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 9, 2026
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
On [XXX], I received a warning on my 2023 IONIQ 5 that said “stop vehicle and check braking system” and the car went into “turtle mode”. I took it into the dealer for repairs and they said the issue was related to the 12V battery and returned the car to me as repaired. Then, on [XXX], I was driving the car and I got the same error message but this time the car’s brakes didn’t work. Tha... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2019) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 9, 2026
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
when I push the brake pedal, it goes to the floor. I have had the brakes and master cylinder replaced. after about one month the brakes started failing again. I am going to take it back to the mechanic to have them re-evaluate the brakes. No kind of official has inspected my truck. I have been having braking issues for about a year.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
On September 17. 2025 I was at a red light on Normandie Avenue and Exposition Blvd the light turned green and as I was entering the intersection going southbound my doors on the vehicle started locking and un locking, my dashboard went black and the car shut off, The Braking system malfunction, the airbag did not deploy, my knees hit the bottom part of the dashboard and my mouth hit the steering w... Read more
Crash
1 injured
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2022) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 8, 2026
Incident date: Oct 20, 2025
3/6/26 5:50 am unintended acceleration w such force pulling car toward right side n unable to stop, jumped over side walk, then stopped, it happened very fast, very scary accident, I was in shock and shaking so bad. Wknd disrupted, couldn't sleep n reliving bad experience over n over. Bringing it to the dealer 3/9/26. no damage to anybody or third party, unknown under car damage. Didn't file a re... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2026
Exposed electric wires, airbag system failure codes, breaks non resistance in functional limitation of human safety. Voltage malfunction involves hazardous crash impact results
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
Pulled into parking space. Applied brakes and came to a complete stop. Could hear engine revving up.. Thought ok, that gas pedal seem to be pressed. Look at my foot wasn’t pressing the pedal. Looked at floor mats. It was laying flat on floor, not manipulating the pedal. I thought what’s happening? And lifted foot off brake ever so slightly and car jumped 6 inch high curb and hit the building..... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 30, 2025
I am reporting what appears to be a serious, chronic safety issue with this vehicle (not just this particular car, but all M/Y 2020~2022 (and possibly 2012~2019 as well if they use the same brake components). Since new, my car has had chronic brake problems and these ongoing issues keep arising, pointing to defective brake caliper design. They have not caused an accident (for me anyway), but sho... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2026
The vehicle is intermittently braking on its own while driving. The issue has become significantly worse over the course of a month. The dashboard message reads, “brake applied, power reduced”. This is a danger to both myself and other drivers as we are unable to control the speed of the vehicle.
Incident date: Mar 8, 2026
Since taking possession of the vehicle, I have experienced two incidents involving the automatic emergency braking system activating unexpectedly, despite no obstacle or hazard being present. During one of these incidents, the vehicle braked abruptly and forcefully enough to cause an injury to my wrist. On March 7, 2026, I brought the vehicle to the dealership for inspection, where it was confirm... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
I am reporting a safety concern involving my vehicle, a 2016 Acura ILX (VIN: [XXX]), which is currently subject to an active brake system safety recall involving the brake master cylinder (Acura Recall Code RN5). The recall describes a defect in which contamination of the brake fluid system may cause the master cylinder seal to swell and reduce braking pressure, allowing the brake pedal to travel ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
This has been reported one time before but the situation has gotten worse when driving at approximately 60ish miles per hour but it starts doing it about between 50 and 70 mph when driving and the car is using the regular engine not the EV section. You will randomly lose the ability to accelerate and you have to remove your foot from the gas let the engine slow and then re-accelerate now for the s... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
Traction control kicks in and the gas peddle doesn't work properly. Won't accelerate and just slows down. 20-30 seconds later and it kicks back off. Happened 3-4 times. No problems up until incident. Does have the tire pressure light on as well.
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
While driving, I attempted to depress my clutch pedal in order to bring my vehicle to a stop. My clutch pedal only went halfway to the floor. I was able to force it down to the floor using a higher than usual amount of force. After bringing my vehicle to a stop I inspected my clutch pedal and found that it had side to side play resulting from a cracked weld where the clutch pedal was welded to a s... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2023) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 7, 2026
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
My Tundra has been having lagged throttle after takeoff for a few months now going into 2026. My truck is slightly over 50k Miles and did well for the first 40k Miles. Last week it went limp and gave a loss of Power Warning and Check engine light came on. Then the very next day a parking brake assist warning came on. I brought it to the dealer and after 4 days they couldn't replicate the warning ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
Brake system has failed. “Brake Assist Service” has popped up on screen. Taken to two separate facilities who said this is a KNOWN problem with this vehicle make and model.
Incident date: Feb 9, 2026
I own the 2024 f350 dually truck and regularly tow heavy trailers for commercial transport under DOT regulations. I have experienced repeated intermittent failures involving the truck’s trailer brake and trailer lighting system. While towing, the truck intermittently displays warning messages on the dashboard such as “Trailer Brake Module Fault” and “Trailer Light Module Fault.” When thi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
I was driving 55 miles an hour on an Expressway. And suddenly my truck just shut off.The brake became very hard unable to break very scary situation for me and my children. Engine power was reduced and would not start, many errors came up. The vacuum pump failed, which also caused the cam shafts to fail.The vacuum pump exploded into pieces and sent metal into my engine.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2025
1. Electrical System Failure: While traveling on highway, alternator failed suddenly within 2 minutes of “service soon” and “check electrical system” warnings. Caused complete loss of motive power, electronic parking brake locked up while driving, loss of power steering, all gauges failed, transmission shifted into park while in motion. Battery was damaged (“fried”). Engine continued ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
UNKNOWN However multiple times the front end of the vehicle starts shaking when I try to break up especially on the highway. The dealership claimed to have repaired it once and shortly after it happened again. When I took it in they first looked and said the parts was ordered but nothing was done then came back and said oh yes it was done then refused to fix it without a charge so I had to pay ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
1. Component/system that failed/malfunctioned — Braking system (electronic parking brake and brake control modules) combined with electrical/communication defect preventing storage of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). Vehicle available for inspection upon request. 2. How safety was put at risk — Repeated "Park Brake Fault – Service Now" and "Brake System Fault" warnings on dash while driving ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
Today while I was driving home from work, in a snow storm, suddenly a low braking power notification and ABS malfunction popped up on my console with loud beeping and my brakes completely stopped working. In order to avoid hitting the car in front of me I had to swerve to the shoulder and come to a stop.
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
There was a pot hold hole about 30 ft from a stop light. I was coming to a stop but once I hit the pot hole the breaks malfunctioned. I pumped the breaks 2-3 times. They did not reengage. This fault caused me to rear end the car in front of me at the stop light.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
As I pulled into my driveway, my brakes locked up resulting in my vehicle only coming to a stop because it crashed into another vehicle in my driveway. It is still in my driveway, the function of breaking has not been reproduced. The car will not even start now. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by a dealer, an independent service center, or anyone else. I will be contacting my insurance toda... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
stalling/shutting down at stoplights with the auto start-stop feature has occurred continuously for the last 2 years I’ve taken to dealer, and multiple mechanics and they can’t find a problem
Incident date: Feb 25, 2026
I own a 2024 Nissan Pathfinder with approximately 24,000 miles. During a recent inspection, the rear brake pads were found to be completely worn while the front brake pads still have significant remaining life. This uneven wear pattern suggests the rear braking system may be performing a disproportionate amount of braking or may not be fully releasing. Premature rear brake wear at this mileage app... Read more
CHEVROLET
EQUINOX EV
(2024) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 6, 2026
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
Automatic emergency breaking engaged while driving through an intersection when there was no danger or incoming car or need for it. If the car behind us was not paying attention they could have rear ended us.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
This has happened three times with the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LTZ truck. Each time, the failure was following a remote start in my driveway. It has occurred at the approximately 40K, 80K, and now at 128K mile mark. First two repairs were covered under the warranty and extended warranty, with the third time there was no warranty and the cost for repair was ~$2800. Each time, the vehicl... Read more