Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,192,899 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 137,559 crashes, 55,854 fires, and 8,555 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 2,192,899 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 76,359 complaints — component: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
My vehicle shut off as I was accelerating.
Incident date: Oct 16, 2025
MY 2016 F150 HAD A RECALL (22S11 IN MAR 11,2022 WHICH THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER ON MY TRUCK. THIS WEEK 10/16/2025 I NOTICED MY BRAKES ARE FAILING AGAIN, THE PEDAL GOES ALLMOST TO THE FLOOR. I WILL HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED AGAIN. DON'T KNOW IF DEALER WILL REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE?
Incident date: Sep 11, 2018
When having to slow down or stop quickly, the van starts to jerk back and forth and shake a lot and the car becomes very difficult to control. This is especially noticeable when going down hills such as I-70 in Colorado, I-15 in eastern California or mountain passes in the Sierra Nevadas, but also when coming around a corner on a freeway and the traffic is stopped. It would be very serious if dr... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2025
On three occasions my car has initiated automatic emergency braking while I was driving across the same grated bridge deck (Montlake Bridge in Seattle). In each instance there was no potential for collision and my car slammed on brakes and jammed on my seatbelt with varying levels of discomfort and terror. This also created a safety risk because I could have been rear ended as there was so reason ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE LIGHTS & BEEPING SOUND ALL ON. BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD. PEDESTRIANS, OTHER DRIVERS & FAMILY ARE AT RISK DUE TO SAFETY RISK. DIAGNOSIS CODES C1253 - C1256 DURING TEST INDICATES ABS PUMP ASSEMBLY ISSUES. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOTICED BY ME IN LATE AUGUST 2025.
Incident date: Jan 5, 2024
Every two months I have to change the bulb for the break lights. It burns out fast. Not only is it burning out fast but its melting and takes several days for pry the melted material out. Also smells like something is going to catch fire with this. This started over a year ago but I didnt know i can report it to be investigated as a recall.
Incident date: Oct 14, 2025
The complaint was filed on behalf of the contact's daughter. The contact's daughter owned a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while the contact's daughter was driving at 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the contact's daughter stated that the brake pedal felt spongy and unusual. The contact's daughter stated th... Read more
Crash
1 injured
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2016) — SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 16, 2025
Incident date: Mar 19, 2019
I was pulling up behind a vehicle that was entering the highway when I noticed that the driver had to yield to oncoming traffic and did not continue driving. I applied my brakes, but the vehicle did not come to a complete stop, and as a result, I struck the vehicle in front of me. My safety was put at risk, as this could have resulted in a major accident. Additionally, my car insurance premiums i... Read more
Crash
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) — SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 16, 2025
Incident date: Oct 14, 2025
I was driving on the street when suddenly the truck stopped completely by itself without me pressing the brake, I put it in neutral and put it back in forward, it went about 30 feet and stopped by itself suddenly again and the dashboard panel did not have any warning signs that indicated that something was wrong. I took it to the dealer and they told me that since it did not have any warning light... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
2017 GMC Acadia repeatedly displays a “Shift to Park” message every time I turn the vehicle off, even though it is already in park. Additionally, the driver’s seatbelt does not latch or click properly, which poses a safety concern. The Shift to Park message only appears when turning off the vehicle.
Incident date: Oct 11, 2025
While driving the cars speedometer and all gages will stop working, or they will constantly move up and down on their own, it will also not accelerate to speed limit in a timely manner.. when stopping the car it will brake extremely hard on its own and throw me forward it will also give a warning message on the dash that the power steering isn’t working and to drive with caution. When parking th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
The contact owned a 2025 Rivian R1S. The contact stated that while driving 24 MPH, the other vehicle switched lanes in front of the contact's vehicle. The other driver had a learner's permit. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but it traveled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was pushed into the cement divider. The vehicle came to a stop when it crashed int... Read more
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
Heard clicking noise coming from steering wheel. Car shimmied when breaking off of freeway. Newish car, only 20,611 miles. Took into dealership before anything went awry. Dealership said never heard of the steering problem before. Turned out it was a tie rod going bad and repair was covered by warranty. Break issue was also covered by warranty.
Incident date: Sep 21, 2025
When trying to disengage cruise control, with button on steering wheel, brakes locked up going 75mph on the interstate. Would not unlock until I physically pressed brake pedal. If I had not been able to control the car, we would have been sent head first into the concrete barrier wall. Also, when trying to start car or put in into gear, it tells me to "press brake" when the brake pedal is pressed ... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2025
PLEASE SEE ATTACHED LETTER This complaint is being submitted due to gross negligence in recall communication and manufacturer accountability. This failure in vehicle safety oversight that has already resulted in emotional and financial harm. In September of this year, I submitted an application for a buy-back option to Ford but was denied. This application/request was assigned a case number by Fo... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 23, 2024
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious and ongoing safety defect in my 2015 Ram 1500 involving the failure of the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module (Part No. 68228991AD). This failure completely disables the ABS, significantly reducing the vehicle’s braking performance and increasing the risk of loss of control or collision during emergency braking situations. This is a well-documente... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2024) — SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 16, 2025
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
My 2024 Volkswagen Atlas SE began collecting visible moisture inside the rear tail light assembly less than 18 months after purchase. Over time, this led to intermittent lighting failure, sometimes the lights function, sometimes they don’t. This is a safety concern, especially at night or in poor weather. After researching the issue, I found that this is a widely reported problem among VW Atlas... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2025
While driving at approximately 15–20 mph, my vehicle suddenly started beeping and displayed a quick warning message on the dashboard before the brakes locked up on their own. The incident lasted only a few seconds, but it was extremely alarming. This same issue has now happened twice, both times in the exact same location on the same road, driving at about the same speed. The first incident was ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 24, 2025
ABS, traction control, power steering, parking lights go on and off. ABS control module throws code DTC 121-11; VSA Solenoid Valve Malfunction. Been going off and on for a few weeks. No warning before the lights came on. Heard this is a common problem with the early 2010s Honda Accords that needs a recall. Pulled the code from a personal OBDII scanner.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2014) — SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 16, 2025
Incident date: Mar 9, 2025
When at red lights, or in traffic, when you release the brake pedal to inch farther, and re-apply the brakes they go straight to the floor and you have to basically stand up on the brake pedal to finally stop. The truck slides and makes noises as it comes to stop. I was told these trucks in 2014 have a bad issue with the vacuum pump for the brakes.
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2022) — SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 15, 2025
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
When slowing down to turn into a parking lot my car suddenly experienced sudden “phantom braking”. I was going slowly and I wasn’t braking. My car only has automatic braking when cruise control is on. Cruise wasn’t on. The car suddenly braked hard and chimed twice. My car has a collision warning system but that doesn’t chime like this. I didn’t see any dash warning lights, it looked no... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2025
We had complete brake system failure while driving the car on the highway. The brakes went all the way to the floor when applied and we came inches going into fast moving oncoming traffic before the vehicle stopped. I had to push the break with both feet with all the strength I had to get the brakes to respond at all. The brake assist failure warning light came on and another warning light came on... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The ABS system continuously dings and the cruise control will not work and shuts itself off due to recalled defective part. Waiting for new recall part!!!!!!! Why was a recall issued with no part to fix??? Make them get their act together. This is dangerous and maddening to listen to constant bell ringing in the vehicle. Not to mention the possibility of an accident. This vehicle is my daily dr... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2025
This truck was parked in the driveway for at least 24 hours. The battery was dead, so my fiancé got the jumper box out of the truck and popped the hood. After he lifted the hood, he got one of the clamps on the battery when the truck started to roll forward. He couldn’t get out in enough time and was run over. The truck can be inspected upon request. There was a police report and insurance repo... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
While operating the vehicle and utilizing the cruise control, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning lights turn on. These lights will remain on until the vehicle is turned off and a new drive begins. They only activate during the use of cruise control and at times it has caused the brake pedal to become extremely tough to press. This is a concern if m... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2024) — SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 15, 2025
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
>While exiting a highway my vehicle surged forward crashing into the vehicle in front of me.Engaging the brake, my car smashed into the van again. I had no control over the forward momentum of the car. >Both the driver & I were in danger of injury >The problem has not been addressed as my damaged car is being repaired >The vehicle has not been inspected >I was given no warning that the incident wa... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle had suddenly started to vibrate and shake. The contact stated that the vehicle was maintaining its lane but was lurching from left to right. No warnings illuminated. The contact stated that she pulled off to the side of the road; however, when she turned the vehicle on, it would start... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
Jeep 4xe complete loss of power while driving almost caused a huge accident. No power, no power steering TOTALLY dangerous and they knew damn well this would happen but didn't alert customers!!!
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
When I try to park the car, it says shift to park. Sometimes I can’t get the car to go into park to exit the vehicle or other times. I’ve shut the door and it has stayed on with the accessories because it won’t shut off
MERCEDES-BENZ
AMG GLE53
(2024) — SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 15, 2025
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53. The contact stated that while attempting to stop the vehicle, there was an abnormal squeaking sound coming from the brakes. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, the vehicle moved independently whenever the parking brake was not activated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; howev... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2025
I just had at least my 6th occurrence with my new 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition where, while braking at a slow speed, my abs kicked in and wouldn’t stop my car despite pushing the brake to the floor. Finally it abruptly stopped. In all situations, the road surfaces seemed to be slightly uneven or slightly bumpy. Each time this happened, I was traveling very slow and no faster t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
Dodge has a "safety" feature to keep the vehicle from driving off if the driver exits the vehicle with it in gear. The safety mechanism detects the seatbelt undone, the driver seat sensor and the driver door open. If someone gets out of the vehicle while it is in Drive, the parking brake is automatically applied, the engine put in park then powered off. My problem is this "safety" mechanism has ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2024
Have continuous display of ABS , Brake lights for some time. Diagnosed as problems of ABS brake booster and pump. Toyota recognizes this issue but will not replace it.
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2022) — SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 15, 2025
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
I reported twice to Tustin Toyota that my car seemed to have a strange braking issue. It felt like the car lurched/lunged forward as I was braking. Every time I brought it into service, I verbally mentioned it to the technician checking my vehicle in. I was repeatedly told there was no issue. Turns out there is an active bulletin (T-SB-0059-23) that came out but now my vehicle is out of warranty a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2025
I am trying to file a complaint about no parts for recalls. I have had three recalls on this vehicle and none of them has been rectified due to no parts available. I'm trying to find out why we cannot get parts to fix the transmission bell housing or the brake hoses on these recall notices? I also have a recall for the rear camera. I'm not sure if these recalls are just for my information, or if... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
While driving normally at highway speed on I-880 South, the braking system failed to decelerate the vehicle. When the brake pedal was pressed firmly, there was no normal slowing—only a sliding sensation, as if the wheels locked and the car moved forward on ice. This led to a collision with a stopped vehicle ahead. The following day, the Mazda App displayed a red alert message: “Brake system ma... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Oct 14, 2025
I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake, but I felt the brake pedal just sank, and the car lurched ahead, jumped over the chunk, and stopped at the curb which startled me. After I ... Read more
TRIUMPH
TIGER 900 GT PRO
(2024) — SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 15, 2025
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
Motorcycle threw me forward on the bike causing me to momentarily lose control which put me into the oncoming lane of traffic. I was able to recover and swing back into the proper lane of travel. There were no warning signs or messages prior to the incident. After the incident multiple errors appeared on my display: ABS, transmission, engine, and a 4th that I can't remember at this time. After sto... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2025
The interior breaking pad on the rear passenger side wheel is wearing faster than all other break pads. According to the dealership this is due to defective hold break caliper, a condition which they failed to identify and address this multiple times until a complete rear breaks job was required. As a result perfectly fine breaks have to be replaced because of a single fast wearing break pad. I am... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
Power steering power breaks, acceleration. Head rest, blind spot. Problems. Bought car ,driving to get home mirror was not in place needed to get on left lane to get under bridge crossing traffic was rushing through so fast I could adjust mirror so I turned to right on road the steering wheel glided so fast it frightened me. Wheel turning was slippery. So any way since I didn't know car I j... Read more
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2021) — SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 15, 2025
Incident date: Sep 27, 2025
Car stalled once while going to a military appt but started up 3 mins later. Car then made a noise then stalled out of nowhere on the highway at a slow speed in heavy traffic causing anxiety. vehicle then had me stranded waiting for a tow to find out it’s the HVJB .
Incident date: Jan 15, 2025
For the 3rd time in 9 years, my car's brakes stopped working. Submitted complaint to NHTSA back in 2020 the 2nd time it happened (the 1st time under warranty). In January 2025 left work to drive 17 miles home, only to find that the minute I drove into traffic my brakes weren't working again, straight to the floor! Drove 20 minutes to nearest dealer in traffic with hazards on while consistently pu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
Clicking that the dealer stated was normal. It was not loud knocking saying that is how the high flow fuel pump worked. Safety braking did not work at all. And there was a water intrusion in the trunk.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
We were notified of a recall in Nov 2024 with a first quarter of 2025 fix. We are now 1 year later and still no fix, clearly a safety issue and I cannot trade in or sell legally without the fix. I am stuck with a vehicle with known safety issues and Chrysler is being allowed to just ignore it.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
When slowing to a stop the vehicle is unsmooth and unpredictable, there is also a sudden release when braking downhill (not sure if they are related). There’s been occasions where the car lurched when coming to a stop almost resulting in me rear ending the vehicle in front of me. The unsmooth/unpredictable stopping only happens at speeds under 10mph when approaching a stop like with city driving... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2025
While driving on the highway, the brakes on my rental truck began to feel mushy, and the pedal eventually went all the way to the floor. I was unable to stop and had to use the emergency brake to avoid a collision. The truck was rented from Budget Truck Rental (Serrato Enterprises Inc., 7680 Bandera Road, San Antonio, TX 78238). Upon inspection, I discovered brake fluid leaking from the left rear... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
I was driving my car and came to a near stop. when I attempted to drive the car again the vehicle displayed a message to shift to park and then restart the vehicle. I did that and was able to drive another 30 miles home. The next day, I drove the car 20 miles to get an oil change. When I drove a mile away from the oil change location the car displayed a shift to park and restart message again. Aft... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
While driving, the vehicle began accelerating (forced acceleration) without driver input. When driver attempted to stop or slow the vehicle down, the brakes were unresponsive due to the brake override system failure. Because the vehicle could not be stopped or slowed down, and to avoid hitting or harming others, driver veered off the road which caused the vehicle to flip multiple times and finally... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, with the engine, Forward Collision Avoidance, and brake malfunction warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ECM had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware o... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
I was traveling on [XXX] in Nashville. There was a motorcycle speed trap on the right shoulder so I moved over to the left. The car in front of me also moved to the left and my car slammed on the brakes and came to a complete stop on the highway. I was badly rear-ended causing $12,500 in damage. This has happened 2 other times to me since then. This seems to be a consistent problem with the 2025 ... Read more
Crash