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: Nov 30, 2025
Automatic emergency braking system deployed unexpectedly on acceleration from a traffic light stop. Vehicle was about 10-15 MPH and system operated with no brake pedal input. A vehicle behind had to do a panic stop to avoid collision. Deployment disengaged when accelerator pedal was released. My wife, principal driver, was in the car. She advised this had occurred two times before. No recal... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2026
While driving, all of a sudden the ABS light, power steering light, electrical control message came up, traction control light all came on. For about 15/20 seconds, I had no power steering, and could not brake. Very scary. This happened 3 different times. During one of these times, everything on my dash went black. Then the heat turned on and we couldn’t roll down the windows. Very scary and dan... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2026
While driving the car just shut-off in the middle of the road. If you tried to restart the car it would turn on rev the engine and shut off. The dash display displayed a message " precollision system malfunction" and "secondary brake collision malfunction". Safety wise if this had happened on the highway could have been very dangerous or worse. The car was inoperable and required a tow truck. Luck... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
NOTE-We are visiting DE, but reside in Virginia. I recently experienced problems with my "Wheel Speed Sensor System" on my 2014 Chevy Silverado, LT, 5.3L V8 4WD, Crew Cab. My local garage in DE (our Condo is in DE- our home-residence is Virginia) looked at the vehicle and said I was having a problem with the wheel speed sensors partially locking up my brakes and causing a drag when driving. The ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2025
The front camera and sensors are constantly popping up that they are disabled. The front sensor failed to indicate warning and failed emergency brake. Car should have stopped but I stead it hit the car in front. Sensors, and other electrical services are constantly disabling themselves, or failing to work. What is the point of safety features if they constantly fail.
Crash
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
I am experiencing a serious brake safety issue involving the brake booster on my Chrysler Pacifica. When braking, the pedal becomes extremely hard, pushes back against my foot, and requires excessive force to stop the vehicle. In some instances, when I am at a complete stop, the brake pedal pushes upward and the vehicle begins to move forward on its own. This issue causes a loss of braking assist... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
I was attempting to drive my Frontier on Christmas day 2025 when several lights appeared on the dash. I also noticed my speedometer no longer functioned. I returned home immediately. Two days later, I took it in to a local repair shop and they told me the malfunction code was for ABS and I had to take it to the dealership. Within a week, I took it to the dealership and they confirmed the malfuncti... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2026
I was driving and notice ABS light and other light came on, then noticed that when I tried to brake it felt weak, had to pump brake, then later noticed a leak on brake fluid. I took car to Toyota and they checked it and said brake booster and booster pump needed replacing and they wanted to charge me 3,000 dollars. I could not do the job so I checked around and the auto one in my area informed me... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
The brake system, specifically the master brake cylinder and/or associated brake system components, failed or malfunctioned. The defect results in a sudden loss of braking performance without warning. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. It has remained in the continuous possession of the authorized Chevrolet dealership since January 13, 2026, and has not been returned to ser... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2018) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 9, 2026
Incident date: Jan 14, 2026
ITBM Integrated Trailer Brake Module not outputting correct breaking voltage to trailer.
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
My 2025 Buick Envision with 10,000 miles on it has squeaky brakes. My previous 2023 Envision had the same problem, Brakes check out ok, but squeak persists.
Incident date: Feb 7, 2026
Seatbelt sensors for the passenger second row dinging off and on when seatbelt is buckled. Also the light coming on that says emergency brake unavailable.
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2019) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 8, 2026
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
It was snowing and I was driving slow. About 8:40am, Feb 6th, 2026, I got a "One pedal driving disabled" alert just for a moment, then tried to stop before an intersection because a signal was turning to red. However, break didn't work and I had to enter the intersection under a red signal. Fortunately, there was no car in front of me, also a car coming from the side didn't notice signal changed. ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2016) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 8, 2026
Incident date: Dec 17, 2025
I am driving the car in the highway when I tray to exit ,I see the RED light semaforo in the end of the exit. Well I tray to stop the car and the brakes does' not work, and the air bag coming out before I hit the other car.My car in the front not have any damage. the other car don't have any , big damage only litere rash in the bumper. I don't now way the brakes does 'not work and the air bag c... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2025
Engine coolant intrusion- I don't feel safe driving this vehicle due to engine problems known to FORD even at/before time of sale. Possible fire hazard. Transmission- I don't feel safe driving this vehicle due to transmission problems known to FORD even at/before time of sale. Vehicle lurched around while backing from my garage. Electronic emergency brake- Occasionally sticks in lock on position... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
Component or system that failed or malfunctioned: The electronic throttle control system and/or the powertrain control system malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to accelerate automatically and involuntarily. How safety was put at risk: The malfunction caused a collision with another vehicle and a structure. The failure placed the safety and physical integrity of two individuals at serious risk. ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 8, 2026
While driving home from work during rush hour, a warning light illuminated on my dashboard and my vehicle suddenly lost braking ability. When I pressed the brake pedal, the vehicle did not slow or stop. I was forced to pull onto the shoulder of the road and pump the brake pedal extremely hard multiple times before the vehicle finally came to a stop. This occurred in heavy traffic and created an im... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER
(2016) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 8, 2026
Incident date: Jul 4, 2025
I was driving at around 40mph, my vehicle turned off with all the lights in the dashboard being turned on. I had no power steering or breaks in my vehicle. With no ability to break my moving car I pulled into a parking lot almost crashing with another vehicle. I couldn’t turn out my car in parking and the lights in the dashboard stayed on.
Incident date: Jan 7, 2026
Brake/abs system locked up on me and I couldn’t stop. I accidentally hit someone from behind and was proven to be an accident. My traction light my abs light and my brake light all came on at the same time right before I wrecked. The suv swerves over to the other lane randomly while on the interstate and does stop on time. Every time I fuel up gas leaks out from somewhere and its pumps gas reall... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
NHTSA Investigation PE24010 (or related transmission downshift probes.. Safety Risk: the vehicle unexpectedly downshifts and locks rear wheels, creating an immediate life-threatening risk on the highway. Dealer Response: dealer claimed their "computer doesn't pick up anything," as this helps investigators understand that the diagnostic tools are failing to detect the fault. VIN Number: [... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2026
Brakes, emergency brake, brake switchs. Backup camera turns black while backing up. And yes it’s available for inspection. Car keeps braking and jerking in the other lane by itself. Emergency brake kept coming on by itself randomly. Also I almost hit someone when my back up camera went black. Yes the problem have been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Yes it have been inspecte... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
On my 2023 Nissan Pathfinder I have approximately 25000 miles on it. When I step on the brakes, there is a noticable vibration as if the rotors are warped and pads worn. The brakes and rotors should not be an issue this soon.
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
I had stopped uphill, with my foot on the brake, heading East on the left lane of Pomona Road, at the approach to the Traffic Light Junction with Route 45, around 3.50 PM on Friday 1/23/2026. There were about 5-6 cars also stopped, ahead of me, at the Red Traffic Light and several cars behind me, when I heard my car engine rev up loudly. I kept applying the brake. I could hear my car tires spinni... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 16, 2023
The vehicle slowed down on the highway and had to pull over and get off the freeway. Brake lights stayed o On. was able to drive the car at max n No more then 40 mph. A part had broken off in the brake pedal area. Not sure where. But had to unplug the brake switch so my battery would not die. With out the brake switch connected the car will not shift into gear or drive. .
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
Vehicle check engine code C1391 (Antilock Brake System - abnormal leak in accumulator) came up on 2/5/2026. Recommended repair is to replace the Brake Booster Pump and Assembly, Brake Booster - over $1000 in parts alone. This WAS covered by an Extended Warranty by Toyota (10 years / 150K miles). I only have 120K miles at this time but am past the 10 year mark. However, it seems that this part will... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
Incident took place 1/31/26. I was pulling into my driveway at approximately 5 mph. Normally, as I approach the wooden driveway gate, sensors would begin to beep and I would be prompted to stop.The car normally would stop itself if a collision was imminent. This did not take place. Instead, the car picked up speed, smashed through the gate proceeded up the driveway, smashed through the garage door... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 20, 2025
-I had just exited from the highway and was driving into my town. While doing so, I had both hands on the steering wheel and suddenly the car started beeping and flashing warnings/ alerts indicating that my hands were not on the steering wheel, which they were. Within seconds the car began to deaccelerate and pull me off the road to my right hand side. I initially had no control over the vehicle. ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2026
I am one of thousands of Jeep Wrangler owners whose ABS modules have failed, not due to normal wear and tear, but because it is a defective part. The result for my car is that the ABS system indiscriminately applies braking to a wheel that is not necessary. This results in steering problems, overheated brake pads, and vibrations in all four wheels. The ABS module needs to be replaced, but there ar... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2024) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 7, 2026
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
While brake pedal depressed and car coming to a stop at a traffic light, car surged forward as engine revved and hit another car in front of it. Brake pedal was depressed the entire time.
Crash
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2024) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 7, 2026
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
Driving the truck, a nut fell against my foot. I pulled over and looked underneath to where this Nut could have come from. I realized that the brake pedal was very loose. I did a Google search to see what break pedal Nut could have loosened and Fallen off. I identified that there was a recall for the brake pedal pivot nut on these trucks. From that, I looked up to that section and found that the n... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
The parking brake will sometimes activate while driving the vehicle, I happens twice driving loosing control of the vehicle.
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
The vehicle has been brought to an authorized dealership for numerous service visits related to electrical system issues that ultimately affected the braking system. During one service visit, the vehicle was returned to me with multiple active dashboard warning lights illuminated related to the braking system, including Electronic Stability Control and Automatic Emergency Braking. I questioned th... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 7, 2026
Incident date: Jul 28, 2025
I bought my Niro hybrid EX Touring new from the dealership in 2023. The first issue arose when the car shut off completely while driving and was towed to the dealership. Later, I started hearing a squeaking/rubber rubbing sound. The car would make squeaking and creaking noises when turning or going over minor bumps. The "rubber rubbing sound" happened when I was at a full stop, right after removin... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2025) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 7, 2026
Incident date: Jan 13, 2026
I am a small auto repair shop, in Houston, Texas. The driver's (left) side rear brake caliper bracket appears to be defective. The car came in with the mental to metal break wear on the driver's side, while the passenger's side brake pads still at 50% life. The break wear sensor didn't trigger the light, because there is only one sensor on the passenger side. Upon further investigation found that ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
The brake booster went out first, replaced the brake booster and master cylinder, 2 calipers, brake pads, and rotors. The next option was to replace the brake lines. The problem was not solved; the calipers still locked up.
Incident date: Dec 10, 2025
On 01/16/2026, Quirk Chevrolet completed product safety recall N242482680 for the Brake Pressure Switch Connector Fire on my vehicle. Shortly after, my vehicle would come to an abrupt stop on its own while driving. This happened twice on my way home and then the third time at home at which point, it would no longer move forward or backward. The vehicle needed to be towed to the dealership that ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2025
The vehicle has experienced repeated electrical and engine-related malfunctions, including random engine shutdowns while driving and random no-start conditions. The thermostat and cooling system failed and were replaced in 2024. Multiple sensors have failed. The braking system remains noisy even after brake replacement. The lane detection safety system does not provide audible alerts. The vehicle ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
Duval Ford in Jacksonville, Florida claims they will not have the part until April of this year which means my child and I are in danger until that time. I will seek a remedy at another dealership but I do not believe it is reasonable to have this part on backorder for 3+ months after a recall notice has been sent out.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
I have a 2024 Tahoe that was purchased new from the dealer and has 13,700mi. The first service was completed as required in December with no issues identified. Less than 2 months later the front wheels started making a squeaking sound intermittently when accelerating, coasting or breaking. There were no warning messages. The dealership/mechanic looked over the car & said that the front brakes were... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2025) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 6, 2026
Incident date: Oct 10, 2025
As i was driving out of the Costco parking lot the car read an error “stop safely. Electrical fault detected” within seconds the car completely shut off. No power. Brakes shut off. Steering shut off.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2024
I took my 2017 F150 pickup to Aaron Ford in Poway to perform the following: 1) Resolve recall #25V236 Ford Brake Booster 2) Provide an estimate for resolving the "wrench" cockpit display icon Aaron Ford had my vehicle for 3 days they claim, investigating #2 and provided an estimate of $10,000 to rebuild a transmission with <85,000 miles. The recall was NOT investigated nor resolved even though t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
On initial in-service inspection the following issues were found. 1) R/S steering column not secured. Multiple screws loose. (picture attached) 2) Brake air system found to be out of compliance. When tested and air was released from one tank, both tanks drained completely. Lines are look to be plumbed incorrectly.
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this email in support of a formal Vehicle Safety Complaint regarding a HINO-branded electric truck with an active ABS warning fault and no authorized repair pathway. Vehicle details: VIN: [XXX] Make: HINO Year: 2020 Powertrain: Electric (SEA Electric Drive conversion) Shortly after purchase, the ABS warning light illuminated. Multiple HINO-authorized ser... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
I am submitting this letter as a formal safety defect complaint regarding my 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 sedan, which is experiencing braking system behavior that directly mirrors the defect described in Hyundai Recall Campaign 114 (NHTSA Campaign 13V489000), despite my vehicle not being included by VIN. Although excluded by VIN, the functional failure mode matches recalled vehicles, indicating the d... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2025) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 6, 2026
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
We live on a road with a steep embankment. My wife backed across our driveway and when she put the car from reverse to drive it accelerated uncontrollably. She hit our mailbox, then a power pole across the street, a driveway across the street then over the embankment where she hit a retainer wall another wooden railing and finally came to rest against our neighbors house. If she wouldn’t have ca... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
While driving, the engine catastrophically failed without warning, causing an immediate loss of power-assisted braking and steering. The failure occurred while traveling downhill. I was unable to slow or control the vehicle properly and was forced to proceed through a school bus’s flashing lights to avoid a potentially catastrophic collision, resulting in a traffic citation. My son was in the ve... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2013) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 6, 2026
Incident date: Aug 5, 2025
In June 2019, while driving my 2018 Nissan Maxima, the vehicle suffered a sudden and violent mechanical failure. Without warning, the steering wheel jerked forcefully to the side, and the vehicle became uncomtrollabel leading to an approx 100-foot spin across a median. I have since verified this vehicle was subject to NHTSA Recall 19V-807 for an ABS Actuator leak that shorts the circuit board.... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
Vehicle makes a loud noise when under 65mph. Car shakes when breaking. Transmission needs to be replaced.
Incident date: Jan 31, 2024
On January 28, 2026, I brought my vehicle to Kia of Fayetteville for brake pads, rotor replacement, and brake fluid service. I paid approximately $900 for these services and was provided a dealership loaner vehicle. Upon entering the loaner vehicle, I discovered a loaded firearm inside the vehicle as I was gathering my items. The firearm’s serial numbers appeared to be scratched off. Law enforce... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
During the last two years with my 2017 Ford F150 XLT 4X4 5.4L, I've replaced the brake pads 8 times. I've also replaced the rotors on all 4 wheels. Each time, with less than 30,000 miles between needing to replace the pads, the front pads have worn down the entire pad at an unreasonable rate. I do not brake hard, and I drive mostly on highways without much traffic, so having to replace the pads ev... Read more