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 73,546 complaints - component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident date: Jul 13, 2024
While driving my car, the instrument panel just went blank. My gages all read 0. No speedometer, no battery voltage, no fuel level. The driver information center also shut off. Blinkers would not work, door lock/unlock button did not work after stopping the car. The engine never felt like it lost power and my car would still drive but I could not signal or see how fast I was going.
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 13, 2024
Incident date: Jul 13, 2024
In 2022, around mileage of 67000, our SUV was climbing a steep road when it suddenly made a pop sound & went into limp mode with the wrench light showing and the engine sounding rough. It felt like no fuel was getting to the engine & the gas pedal was non-responsive. The RPMs didn't change when the gas pedal was pressed. The grade was so steep, we barely made it to the side of the road without r... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
While driving on city streets the check engine light came on and I was unable to accelerate or maintain speeds above 30mph. Because the car couldn’t operate at posted speed limits, other vehicles were stuck behind me or had to go around. It was also slow to start at traffic signals. I will be taking the vehicle to the dealer shortly for further diagnosis.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2011) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 12, 2024
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
On 07/10 while accelerating from red to green light, at around 50mph truck shook and alerted my attention to dash/odometer because of immediate slowing of truck. Noticed alert for “Engine Power Loss” and “Brake Failure” and instructed to see dealer. Could not go above 30mph at 2500rpm, thankfully I was 5 minutes from home. Had Tundra towed to dealer. They got Toyota involved and started a ... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2024
July 11, 2024 Message alert appeared indash with instructions to service ABS system. This vehicle experienced the exact same issue in April of 2022 and was taken to the dealer(Patterson Dodge-Tyler,TX) for repair, where the ABS Module was replaced. The replacement was not covered by the warranty.
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
Issues with shifting out of park. Random acceleration, stalling, lagging, & jerking while on the road & in full speed traffic. When took car to dealership was told issues with my PCM. PCM had been recalled & fixed with previous owner in 2017. Now the second time having a PCM issue, couldn't do anything with the already fixed recall so i was forced to pay almost 2,000. Now still leaving me with the... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2024
While driving on the freeway/highway my vehicle went into limp mode and shifted into neutral. My vehicle would not allow me to shift gears and the car would not let me accelerate anymore. I had to think quickly and move out from upcoming traffic. With little speed I had on my vehicle I could only shut down the car and wait for a tow truck. This happened to me twice in 2020 and the mechanics could ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2024
My first problem is that when i try to accelerate the speed it acts as if it doesn’t want to go above the speed that I’m already going! Also my engine light pops on and off and says it could be a number of things such as my brakes and exhaust. The last problem is that my brake lights will not turn off at all.
Incident date: Jul 12, 2024
ABS module unit replaced while under warranty. Vehicle again with ABS warning on/off intermittently for at least the last several months...regardless of weather, speed, road conditions, etc. Comes on and off while driving, sitting in a parking lot...pretty much as soon as I turn on the motor it starts...goes off again for several minutes/hours/days, then starts doing the blinking and dinging again... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2022
I had all the recalls done to my vehicle that pertains to a problem with my vehicle suddenly shifting to first gear at freeway speeds. This was done about two years ago. On July 7th, 2024 my vehicle suddenly shifted to first gear while traveling at a rate of 55 miles per hour. My rear tires suddenly locked up and I lost control of my vehicle. Luckily I avoided an accident. I’m reporting this... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2013) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 11, 2024
Incident date: Jul 4, 2024
When driving the jeep and the engine light comes on (this light comes on and off repeatedly but is mostly on). When the light is on you will have major issues when trying to accelerate regardless of the speed. if you push the gas to full acceleration the speed will drop down from 3-5 mph or completely drop to zero. If you leave your foot on the gas it will take 15-30 seconds for the engine to enga... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
The service electronic brake system warning light and chime along with the traction control and ABS warning lights and the cruise control fails to work. This occurs frequently. The code is C0020-01 ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Pump Motor ControlGeneral Electrical Failure I believe.
Incident date: May 11, 2024
My car Continuously jerks while driving. It's like stuttering, I am afraid it will not pick up speed one day while driving and making turns. This is a scary and safety issue as I do not want to be in a position of making a turn and getting hit. I know that I am not the only one complaining about this issue. Please look into all complaints and rectify this problem. Thank you. Sincerely [XXX] ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 30, 2024
Vehicle lost motive power while driving. Vehicle was new with less then 1,500 miles. After a full charge drove about 4 miles and received message "vehicle will shut down". Tried to pull into a gas station parking lot and only made it half way through the parking lot. Vehicle has been brought to dealer and a new Power Inverter Module is being installed.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2024
Go to step on gas to accelerate my jeep it will limp backwards on speed then all of a sudden take off like a rocket, jerking everybody in the car like g force, jerking head & necks, also driving down the road car has several times shut completely off, having me to pull vehicle over to side of road, & restarting the car.I I’ve had radio system shut completely off by itself for no reason. I have h... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
After charging my vehicle, I received a “Service Charging System” followed by a check engine light. I tried to shift gears from P (parking) to R (reverse) and it wouldn’t let me. When I finally got it to drive, my vehicle was only throwing hot air and it wouldn’t accelerate. I was going about 20 miles per hour and it loss all the speed. When I got to the light and tried to accelerate again... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2024
The infotainment screen goes out randomly while driving and can stay off for the entirety of the trip. That includes the speedometer, check engine light, fuel gauge, etc.
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2016) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 10, 2024
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
I was backing out of a tandem parking spot in a private garage and got too close to a pillar, and tried to pull forward into the spot. It felt like the car got snagged on the pillar, but while pulling forward slowly, the gas pedal snapped off and the car accelerated quickly and uncontrollably. I was able to avoid hitting other cars but drove straight into a concrete wall despite immediately brakin... Read more
Crash
1 injured
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2021) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 10, 2024
Incident date: Jul 10, 2024
ABS hydraulic pump failure, confirmed by Ram dealer. ABS light coming on and off affecting cruise control. Warning on dash says service ABS system. Truck only has 14350 miles No brake failures as of yet
Incident date: Sep 16, 2023
Car stops accelerating when the engine get hot. It happens all the time. I was not made aware of any issues with the car when I purchase it . This apparently is a known issue and a teenager drives the car. Mechanic states the whole transmission needs to be replaced.
Incident date: Jun 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and the RPMs were significantly high. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact shifted to park(P) and turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle decelerated. The contact was able to pull to the side ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
When leaving from a stop as I accelerate between 20-30 mph it hesitates and will not go. I have to take my foot off and put it back on to go.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 9, 2024
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
I had the BECM fail as part of many 2017 volts with this issue at around 40K miles. This failure has caused multiple near accidents with immediately losing power at highway speeds. The last time this happened (after the BECM was replaced) was a couple of weeks ago. They said the reason for the failure was a programming issue, and they have updated it. It is flabbergasting to me that a programming ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
After having the car serviced to fix the recall, my car stopped running while on the freeway at 60mph. This is now the 3rd time in less than 10 days that this has happened. I had the transmission replaced previously to fix this issue but it has returned.
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
Oil consumption is excessive it has caused the engine to have a knocking noise even though routine oil changes have been up to date. Yes available for inspection. This may cause the engine to seize at any given point while in motion. No, I have not been able to take the vehicle to a dealership yet. No, vehicle has not been inspected. No, no check engine/warning light has turned on. Knocking noise ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2024
Was driving along and transmission downshifted (?) wouldn't change gears. Tachometer was like a race car. Just went wild. Limped it along to a dealership. They informed us it was probably the transmission. It was determined it was indeed the transmission. They also stated that they had 7 more waiting in the service area waiting for parts to repair. Ours was to be #8. We called the dealer we b... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
Pressure plate replaced twice and still not working with only 27301 miles. Went in for routine oil change no problems during the last warranty oil change things start to change. Returned to the dealership to express problem report back oil needed top off. Checked for recalls none reported. Truck continued to drive funny popping out of gear when driving and speed decrease while driving on the inter... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2024
I was driving and all the dash board lights came on and it started warning beepings then it would not go over 35mph The ABS module was affected because it has a defective eyelet in the TIPM Module wiring connector that allows water to seep in I had a level 2 system testing done to find the defect. Jeep is aware of the problem because when I tried to order a new ABS module I was told it was not... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
10/19/2022 – Vehicle stuck in drive and would not shift out of drive. Vehicle towed to the dealer and not touched for a day and a half. Dealer found walnut lodged in shifter column which was preventing the shifter from going into park. Dealer also performed software update on vehicle. 10/21/2022 – Picked up vehicle and it was shifting very hard through every gear, returned to the dealer for fu... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 9, 2024
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
While driving down the interstate at approximately 70 mph the equinox would locks would start to cycle and at the same time the service stabiltrak and service power steering line would come on and the vehicle would drastically slow to around 30-40 mph, almost causing an accident. This is a well known issue with Chevrolet and they have not tried to resolve the issue. This is going to cause major ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle misread the Route 10 road sign for the speed limit sign and the vehicle decelerated to 10 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9... Read more
HONDA
ACCORD HYBRID
(2023) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 9, 2024
Incident date: Jun 15, 2024
When I need to car to accelerate, sometimes it will, and other times I have to push on the gas pedal all the way to try to accelerate. This is extremely dangerous when pulling out in traffic as I am never sure when the car will be working correctly the car shows no codes that there is something wrong, the mechanics cannot figure out what is causing the lack of acceleration. I can be at a red light... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2024
On July 3, 2024 I turned right out of a parking lot onto a busy road. The car sped up on its own and started speeding. It took me a couple of seconds to realize what was happening and put on the brake. The car ran through a red light, other cars were able to avoid hitting me. The car did stop then. There were no warning signs that this was going to happen. The dealership is going to investiga... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2024
The contact owned a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at 30-40 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle and crash into the rear of a parked vehicle. The vehicle continued to accelerate and traveled across the street crashing into another parked vehicle. The vehicle continued to accelerate on its own forward and over a sid... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 7, 2024
Was driving to the store for groceries with my 2 young children, when my car just stopped accelerating and the engine seized up on a local road. Had noticed a ticking and knocking sound when accelerating a few prior and a weird sound coming from the suspension but it was dismissed by the dealer. Had the vehicle towed to my home and had to tow to dealership as it would no longer turn over at all. ... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
I received a safety recall letter in the mail. I made an appointment at the South Shore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Service center in Inwood, NY for the repair of the recall and to change the oil. I specifically made the appointment for the recall (I keep getting notifications to repair) I went to the service center (1 hour drive from my home) on May 18,2024 (when I called to check in for the appoin... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2012) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 8, 2024
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
clockspring malfunction causing horn, cruise control, and air bag not functioning
Incident date: Jun 25, 2024
The accelerator on my vehicle malfunctioned and got stuck. While making turn with no acceleration, the acceleration of the vehicle got stuck and the brakes did not respond causing the vehicle to hit a sidewalk and breaking the passenger side suspension and control arm and axel of the vehicle. Airbags deployed. Controlled the vehicle until it stopped completely. When vehicle was completely stopped ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 29, 2024
Twice while going up a hill in the rain I was changing lanes and the cruise cut out causing the vehicle to slow down rapidly and kick out in the back. The cruise abruptly stops when the “service electronic braking system” and “service abs” lights and dinging come on. Apparently this also stops the traction control from working. Looking on the internet and forums, this is a very common issu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2024
Third instance of reduced engine performance warning system taking over the car, which results in the "turtle mode" coming on and throttling vehicle speeds. The car does not respond to gas except at lower speeds. Then the Check Engine light also came on.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2024
ABS system - flashes on and off dash, ABS has been inspected by dealership. Dealership said, could replace ABS but it could very likely have the same issue due to part malfunction. This malfunction causes- no cruise control, no traction control, sounding and lighting up on dash constantly.
Incident date: Jul 4, 2024
On July 8 2024 at approximately 0720 CST I was driving my vehicle on the freeway when I lost ALL acceleration and the car would NOT go above 70MPH. The car continued to decelerate while on the freeway in traffic. The RPM range was 7-8 while it was decelerating and then it went back to "normal" a few minutes later. I then continued my travel to work and about 5 miles away from my work it did it aga... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Depressing accelerator while in 'D'rive or 'R'everse does not increase RPM or power and vehicle does not move. While keeping the pedal pressed to the floor it will then slowly RPMs will increase and it will creep forward. It will rev. while in park or neutral.
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 8, 2024
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
Transmission lunges forward at times even when putting into park position and starting vehicle. Also, when driving down the road vehicle jerks or bucks and throws you forward. Periodically, there is a complete loss of transmission function then you hear large bang and truck jerks forward. This has been reported to Fenton Ford Camden, NY several times and they cannot seem to find issue and stated i... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2022
I was driving in the rain like I have done before with no issues but on 7/7/2024 I was driving home in the rain and my car just started steering on its own and I wasn’t able to control my car and it started turning my car to the point it hit a guard rail on the highway and turn my car near the other side of the highway in the grass. My airbags d
Crash
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
6/25/24 I PUT MY 2015 F150 IN REVERSE AND GAVE IT JUST A LITTLE ACCELERATION AND IT IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED FAST CROSSING THE STREET AND HITTING A UTILITY POLE TOTALING MY TRUCK. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON A FORD FORUM AN SAW WHERE OTHE PEOPLE HAD HAD RAPID UNEXPLAINED ACCERATION.ONE PERSON SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF A FAULTY ACCELERATO PEDAL POSITON ALSO KNOWN AS APP. MY SAFETY AND ANYONE WALKING OR DRIV... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 4, 2024
The Tesla is reflecting an error “DIR_a126” that is reducing the speed below the speed limit and with no rhyme or reason. Tesla services are not available and the problem is intermittent. Additionally, based on research it is found to not have consistent resolutions and reasonings
Incident date: Jun 10, 2024
My car has been having engine problems causing it to stall while driving. It won’t go past 20miles per hour even if I press on the gas FULLY. This has been happening on and off for a couple of months now. It also burns thru my oil change in less than a week. I took my Hyundai into the dealer multiple times because of the way it drove since 2019 and they always sent me away saying that it was nor... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2024
While driving on the freeway the vehicle started to shake violently. I had to pump the breaks slowly and pull to the side of the road. After checking everything we took it to the shop and they did 2k in repairs and said it was fixed. It did it again. They said they don't know what it is.
Incident date: Jun 27, 2024
Our truck has been doing the "death wobble" several times over the last 2 years. The truck will suddenly shake violently at high speeds and go into limp mode. We have to pull over pumping the brakes slowly. It is EXTREMELY TERRIFYING to have happen and we have spent THOUSANDS trying to get it repaired but it continues.