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: May 24, 2026
I had a red sign on dashboard saying:*chassis failure, park the car carefully.* the car was towed to Porshe. And, was released after one week as safe to drive and dismissed the sign as a glitch. The second day of releasing the car, I had a major accident while parking the car in the garage. The accident resulted in damage to the outer wall and to cabinets. I requested an investigation of the car a... Read more
Crash
NORSTAR
FLATBED TRAILER
(2026) - SERVICE BRAKES
May 24, 2026
Incident date: May 15, 2026
Recurring Defects – 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S Vehicle * Year/Model: Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S * Ongoing recurring defects across software, electrical, interior, safety, and mechanical systems. Aesthetic / Interior Defects Interior Trim and Structural Noises * Fading light bar panel. * Excessive interior plastic creaking during cold weather. * Roof creaking noises in cold temperatures. Software / ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) - SERVICE BRAKES
May 24, 2026
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
The vehicle's Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) / Smart Brake Support system intermittently triggers "false positive" emergency braking events during critical driving maneuvers, specifically while accelerating to merge into highway traffic. During these events, the system violently applies the brakes with no external hazard present. Crucially, the vehicle fails to acknowledge driver override input... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2017) - SERVICE BRAKES
May 24, 2026
Incident date: Apr 8, 2026
I have written several times before about my car's phantom braking in cruise control. When the Santa Fe Tesla dealer, where I bought the car, told me recently that the problem had been fixed, I was disappointed they didn't bother to tell me, but thrilled to hear the news. On May 12-13 I drove over 900 miles. I tried cruise control for significant portions of both drives and did not experience o... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2026
Hydraulic Brake Unit constantly throwing warnings for over a year now.
BRIDGESTONE
V-STEEL RIB 265
(9999) - SERVICE BRAKES
May 24, 2026
Incident date: May 23, 2026
I’ve been dealing with some intermittent problems with my 2022 transit for a couple years now. Basically I’ll be driving on the highway and all the sudden I’ll lose gas control, and power braking and the dash displays a message that says “shift to neutral to restart vehicle”, battery icon flashes red and I have to coast to the side of the highway. The electronics in the car will still be... Read more
Incident date: Apr 28, 2026
While driving and starting to go into the turn lane on the right, to make a right turn, the car would not slow down, while pressing the brake the car would not slow, I could not turn at the speed and was unable to get back into the flow of traffic either , so was left driving into a guard wire holding up a pole.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 14, 2026
All kinds of warning signals come up like 4 wheel drive on, off, roll up and down driver window, no brake pads detected, no washer fluid, service esc, service 4 wheel drive, traction control on and off, radio blacks out, lights dim, feels like rear wheels lock up and release, transmission feels like it's going to shake out of the truck. Dealership sold it like this and was sent back to be fixed an... Read more
Incident date: Jan 21, 2026
The Automated Emergency Brakes did not activate. This car hit the next car on the street. I was driving when I noticed the brake lights on the car in front of me, so I applied the brakes. Though it did not work, as this car is equipped with the Automated Emergency Brakes feature, it was expected that the car would activate the feature to stop to avoid impact and an accident. Which did not happen, ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 13, 2025
Truck has 170 miles and it suddenly slammed on the breaks on the highway stating that the EBS failed. A loud humming sound came from the transmission and now the truck is saying service transmission and service brakes. The truck will need to be towed to a dealer to review as it is not drivable at this time .
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
I purchased this vehicle at the end of February 2026. Since the purchase this vehicle has on numerous occasions for no reason applied the brakes and made the steering wheel shake. This has almost caused an accident on several occasions, with today another instance on 5-23-2026. I would turn the system off but from what I understand it re-engages itself after every drive. I like the vehicle but im... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
We purchased our car new. Around 70,000 miles or so the brakes went out and were barely usable. We had it towed to Moses in Charleston and it was apparently an issue with brake booster or vacuum pump. I don’t have the specifics at the moment but they fixed it and we drove it home and it did the same thing again with the brakes going out. Had it towed again back to them and they did something els... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2026
Vehicle: 2018 Honda Accord On [XXX], at approximately [XXX] PM, I was driving on [XXX] [XXX] at approximately 35 mph. The weather was clear and the road was dry. A vehicle ahead of me began turning into [XXX] N. My vehicle’s Collision Mitigation Braking System / automatic emergency braking system activated suddenly. The system made an audible warning sound, displayed a warning icon, and app... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
Intermittent abs brake light on return trip in June 2025 diagnosed as a bad abs module. Dealer did not have any stated on back order, now almost a year later as of 5/20/26 Jim Browne Chrysler still states module on back order. And as you know there are no aftermarket parts for replacement. With this issue it keeps other functions of the truck from working. This has been way too long for the gover... Read more
LINCOLN
CORSAIR PHEV
(2023) - SERVICE BRAKES
May 23, 2026
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
Brakes failed and daughter rear ended car in front of her.
Crash
Incident date: May 23, 2026
While driving my 2024 Hyundai Kona on the freeway on May 22, 2026, at approximately 9:30 AM, traveling around 75 mph, my vehicle suddenly displayed a forward collision warning on the dashboard even though there was no vehicle, object, or road hazard in front of me that would justify emergency braking. Immediately after the warning appeared, the vehicle’s automatic emergency braking / forward col... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
Was slowing down for traffic in front of me and my brakes were applied automatically from the crash impact sensor and I was rear ended
Crash
Incident date: May 23, 2026
ABS and Traction control lights keep coming on intermittently. I know this is a known problem and a recall has already been issued. I feel like this is too important of an issue for Ram to be allowed 18 months and still no remedy. I could understand if this was a part availability wait but to not have a remedy after 18 months should require some sort of punishment for them or something should b... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
TO NTSA - 2025 Mazda CX-50 Premium Turbo Plus - Purchased [XXX] - Less than 2,000 miles Driving north on [XXX] , I took exit [XXX] . When slowing to change to the right-hand lane, it surged then rapidly accelerated. Stepping on the brake did not slow it down, increased acceleration. To avoid hitting cars in my lane, I jumped the curb to the frontage road, continually pumping on the b... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
Under the following recall [XXX] Recall was performed in 2022 by Ford of Upland by replacing only the brake fluid. The problem resurfaced just as described in the recall a while back. I contacted Ford on 5/21 they contacted the dealer who refused to repair at no cost. Car is currently at independent respected shop who confirmed that the ABS pump/module is shot and is gummed up. Recall by ford of... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2026
My mom was run over and killed by her vehicle on 5/15.
Crash
1 deaths
Incident date: May 22, 2026
While driving over a bumpy service road to enter a highway, the ABS and traction control systems reacted and applied braking which caused me to have no control of my brakes and I was unable to stop my car and entered the highway without the ability to stop at the stop sign. Fortunately, there were no cars coming, had there been, myself and others could have been injured and my vehicle and others w... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
While driving vehicle detected both road departure and engaged the emergency automated braking. The vehicle attempted to correct the "road departure" by steering the vehicle away from the perceived problem and engaged the brakes nearly causing a collision as it has done numerous times before. I have reported this to NHTSA and American Honda multiple times and await a repair of this dangerous issue... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
NHTSA claim # 11739491 update 05/22/2026 Young Ford Ogden Utah is refusing to execute the remedy for open safety recall 23S12 on my vehicle. They are refusing to run diagnostics test to honor the recall without paying $100 and up fee.
Incident date: May 22, 2026
Brakes have been squeaking since purchasing the vehicle brand new. Have been told that “this is a known issue but it’s “normal””.
Incident date: May 14, 2026
The rear brake is the issue. I have had two separate incidents, both involving the rear brake. The first one: I was riding around my neighborhood, and as I came down my driveway, the rear brake was squishy. The bike wasn't responding. The second incident occurred while driving at 50 mph. I was in the process of slowing down to turn when pressing the rear brake to help slow down. The brake was squi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
My brakes are very squeaky and loud 3 months into buying my brand new car its been squeaking and the dealership is ignoring my issue they said my breaks were fine and tbe pads have alot of life left Its been a year and its still making noise
Incident date: May 14, 2026
Automatic braking system module System went out mid drive and Locked up the front right and back left brakes making vehicle immovable in the middle of the highway. Towed to a dealership where they had to remove and replace ABS module no warning lamps were present. No prior symptoms before failure.
Incident date: Mar 17, 2026
The engine failed on a 2015 Hyundai Elantra with approximately 71,000 miles. The vehicle has an open, unresolved safety recall (Recall 251, NHTSA #23V651000) for an ABS module brake fluid leak that Hyundai has acknowledged but has not provided a remedy for. The vehicle is currently at an independent repair facility and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle repeatedly shut off witho... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2026
The HCU ABS is malfunctioning causing the cruise control to not work along with anti lock brake functions. This could cause a brake malfunction leading to a crash. We have received the recall notice, C4B/NHTSA 24V-896 over a year ago. We have contacted the local dealer several times during that year, including May 21, 2026. No effort has been made by the dealer to change the defective part and we ... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2026
The display panel is completely blank, no speedometer, ABS, oil, engine trouble or temperature warning lamps. Contacted local dealer and Yamaha Motor Co. They said it is a common problem with this model and no replacement parts available. Not having any warning lamps is a safety concern.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) - SERVICE BRAKES
May 22, 2026
Incident date: Mar 21, 2026
This vehicle suffered a sudden; catastrophic hydraulic brake fluid leak and complete system failure shortly after a service visit with only 700 miles total on the new vehicle. Hours prior to the failure, Lindsay Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Manassas, VA (where the vehicle was purchased new, earlier that month) performed and signed off on a multi-point inspection as fully functional while the vehicle... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
NHTSA recall 23V-162/Ford recall 23S12 Vehicle suffered secondary failure of recall remedy part which caused an immediate loss of braking ability. Ford dealer refused a safety tow unless I paid for it upfront which forced me to use my personal roadside insurance. After calling local dealer to assure vehicle had arrived after being towed, dealer said they couldn't look at vehicle until Tuesday ... Read more
Incident date: May 19, 2026
Brake pedals do not have enough pedal reserve, it takes some time for it to come to a stop. The brakes don’t feel secure. We feel like the brakes are going to give up. It also makes a very loud scratching sound when reversing and pressing on the brakes.
Incident date: Mar 17, 2026
The vehicle experienced a sudden unprovoked, catastrophic, and total electronic and mechanical failure of the primary braking and ADAS. Driving at expressway speeds, the vehicle immediately lost all power brake assistance, threw immediate multi-system critical alerts on the instrument cluster, and became instantly undrivable. The vehicle is available for inspection at a local licensed Lincoln deal... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2026
The brakes on this vehicle disengage and re-engage at will during braking. There are no indications of when it will occur. Brakes will disengage during low and high-speed braking, braking while going uphill, downhill, on flat roadway or during turns. This has resulted in several near miss accidents as well as debris was struck in the roadway due to being unable to stop. This vehicle was purcha... Read more
FORD
TRANSIT CONNECT
(2021) - SERVICE BRAKES
May 22, 2026
Incident date: May 19, 2026
I was driving and a variety of failure warnings popped up on my screen along with a total brake failure, unable to stop, had to coast until the vehicle was no longer moving. No accident resulted, but it could have been very serious. Mechanics diagnosed it as a loose battery cable.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
The vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic brake-by-wire system failure while operating in one-pedal driving (Regeneration Boost mode). While decelerating at a low speed behind an 18-wheeler semi-truck, the vehicle failed to continue slowing down. I immediately depressed the physical brake pedal, but the vehicle completely ignored the foot pressure. The pedal and braking system became complete... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
A fuse box burnt up while driving in down town Chicago at 35mph causing no power to steer and loss of braking. The vehicle only stopped because it ran off the road hitting a pothole there was total loss of power. towed to the dealer Ram claims it was a burnt fuse box and there is still electrical issues with the truck its not fixed truck has approximately 11,000 miles still under factory warranty ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Feb 14, 2026
While driving car began to decelerate and the dash lit up with a number of ABS/Brake system failure symbols. I was on the highway traveling at abt 70 mph when the issue happened. Got car to coast off hwy onto an upward sloping exit. Stopped at a light. Turned off and back on and was able to gain minor speed got approx three blocks to a gas station. Pulled off and tried restarts. The screen sta... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2026
I pulled my Tesla Model S in a parking lot, and as I turned the car into a parking spot, the car suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb next to the parking lot and hit a tree. The car speed when I pulled into the parking lot and then into a parking spot was very low. so I was very surprised and startled to see the car suddenly on its own accelerating and jumping the curb.
Crash
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2023) - SERVICE BRAKES
May 21, 2026
Incident date: May 18, 2026
On [XXX] I purchased 2026 Ram 1500 RHO 4x4 VIN: [XXX] with approx. 39miles from ALM Dodge, Jeep, Ram MACON GA. On [XXX] I informed Dothan Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram that I have found a leak of some fluid puddling on my driveway requesting to make an appointment. Approx. Milage is 7004 13 May 2026 was the earliest appointment I could schedule. The vehicle has brake fluid leak and has been deemed... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE IQ
(2025) - SERVICE BRAKES
May 21, 2026
Incident date: May 18, 2026
My truck has used automatic emergency braking multiple times while driving at variable speeds with no obstacles or vehicles in front of me causing whiplash and further damage to my neck that has 5 budging discs. Since I’m only allowed to add a specific mileage and speed below, I’ll note here that it’s happened since I purchased the truck with roughly 35000 miles on it to the current mileag... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: May 16, 2026
My 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has developed a dangerous rear brake system malfunction. During a dealer inspection on 4/27/26, the certified technician confirmed that the rear brake pads are only contacting approximately 50% of the rotor surface, leaving the remaining half completely unused and heavily corroded. This is not normal corrosion or wear. It is a mechanical failure in which the pads a... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2026
While driving normally, my 2025 Honda Prologue experienced an immediate, catastrophic mechanical and electronic failure in both the steering and braking systems. The steering wheel completely locked up/failed to respond, and the brakes became completely non-functional simultaneously, causing an absolute loss of control of the vehicle. Due to this sudden system failure, the vehicle veered off cours... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the brake pedal became inoperable and felt spongy while attempting to stop the vehicle. The contact also stated that the steering wheel became difficult to operate, and a crunching sound was heard while turning the steering wheel. Additionally, the contact stated that multiple incorrect warning messages illuminat... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2026
Brakes completely failed. Foot went to the floorboard and car did not stop. Drove until is was slowed down enough to throw it into park. Engine light stated low on brake fluid. Filled it up and it went about a mile before brakes failed again. Took to a mechanic who determined that brake cylinder and booster had failed. Called Ford who said my 2018 Ford F-150, built in Kansas City was not in ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2023
My abs, brake and traction light came on. I ran a code reader which indicated my abs module has failed. I called my local dodge garage and they said this is a known common issue with my year make and model, and while there is a recall for dodge trucks for this, there isn't for the journey. The part is also on backorder. I have looked on many forums and many dodge journey owners also have this issu... Read more
Incident date: May 11, 2026
New, strange noise started in Dec'25 (41K miles; 2yrs 9 months). No warning lights. Diagnosed as failed brake accumulator (first at an independent shop, later at the dealer). Apparently the accumulator is part of the full master cylinder assembly which must be replaced. Toyota has quoted $3,200 to complete this repair and is telling me it must be out of pocket.
Incident date: May 21, 2026
My 2023 Chevy Colorado developed a rear brake squeal when backing up at approximately 20,000 miles. The dealer found nothing wrong at my next appointment. By 30,000 miles, the rear pads and rotors required replacement, at partial cost to me. The new rear brakes are already squealing again after just a few thousand miles. This isn't an isolated issue. A Chevy Colorado forum I follow has documented ... Read more