Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim — NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,215,138 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports — when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report — that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints — specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened — feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 72,878 complaints — component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
ON [XXX], at [XXX], i was driving the vehicle in electric Save mode, where the temperature was around -19 degree on that day and i was heading for car wash, During that time, the vehicle in front of me applied a break. i was at safe distance i applied the break as the distance was close Even the anti-breaking system did not work on hitting the vehicle at that time, and then it bumped three times. ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 17, 2023
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Slowed down entering a driveway when car sped up on its own , Forward Collision Warning/Emergency Automatic Breaking did not warn or do any breaking. NO SOUND or WARNING on the computer screen. I brake but the car still hit the post. I do not know what speed it accelerated to. I am not sure if Autop... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
I see that the recall notice was issued in September of 2023 but I have to say that for no recall remedy to be available yet is disheartening. I drive my car every day and it is the only car I have, because of that I risk my life everyday. My car loses power because of this recall daily and it ranges from 3-6 times a day. I lose power on the highway, the main roads and back roads, it does not matt... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
Vehicle does not have the proper software updates needed to clear the two NHTSA recalls for my VIN.
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
Car all of a sudden started to slow down on the highway throwing all kinds of codes like service stabillitrac, throttle body position sensor, pressure intake manifold and lots of other ones
Incident date: Feb 11, 2024
When I drive my car shuts off in the middle of driving in traffic I almost got into an accident with my kids in the car The dealership doesn’t know what’s the problem they fixed a code of p0011 can anybody help because it’s a safety hazard with me and my family in the car please help feel like I’m just wasting money
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
My 2016 Tucson Sport with Eco Shift has a dangerous problem with the transmission. Intermittently It will not move when I give it gas. The RPMS go up to 6000 but the car wont move. Its the DCT transmission. Today I took it in for the 3rd time and I don't want it back until its fixed. This is a very unsafe vehicle to drive since you would not know when it would just stop shifting and driving. Have... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2024
THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM HAS AN INCORRECT CALIBRATION THAT MAY CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO NOT PROPERLY DETECT IF A SENSOR WERE TO MALFUNCTION, AND THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATING WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE, AS REQUIRED IN THE SAFETY STANDARD. THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM FALSELY ACTIVATES RESULTING IN SUDDEN CHANGES IN VEHICLE HANDLING AND DECELERATION, PARTICULARLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, WHIC... Read more
Incident date: Aug 7, 2021
ABS light came on at 13,000 miles and was repaired under warranty. At 27,000 miles (2.5 years later), ABS has failed again, code C-020, but vehicle is out of warranty. Contacted FCA and was told "sorry, its out of warranty, pay for it yourself and keep your receipts, just in case it goes to recall". This is a know safety issue as cruise control and traction control are also tied to the ABS. Driver... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2014) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 15, 2024
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
I am driving on the highway and my vehicle goes into neutral on its own it’s very dangerous and almost caused an accident from what I was reading there was a recall for the software for the transmission this happened quite a few times and needs fixing
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
When vehicle is in Snow Mode and I begin accelerating after a complete stop or turning the vehicle from park to drive, the accelerator does not respond. Once I move the dial to any other mode the issue resolves. I can then go back to snow mode and the issue doesn’t occur again until I start accelerating after a complete stop. This has happened four times. This is dangerous. If I am merging into... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2022
On 6/25/22 our 2021 Tesla Model Y with 16,163 miles had a sudden unintended acceleration, it didn't responded to the breaks and within seconds hit a parked car and finally stopped when it crashed to a large tree. It was a "Total Lost" by the insurance. Around 1pm on a clear sky day, driving out of a small gated residential community, before exiting I pulled over the side of the road for a few min... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
I purchased my vehicle from Lithia, Inc. d/b/a Wilde Honda in Waukesha, Wisconsin new. Wilde Honda serviced the vehicle on [XXX], after I reported that all lights in the vehicle were coming on. In addition, I experienced an incident on the highway where my car failed to accelerate, putting me in extreme danger. On [XXX], after my vehicle was returned to me, I experienced substantially similar i... Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2024
Vehicle was taken in for a oil change. At check-in I was told that I would be given a rental vehicle due to the overhead rails recall, leaking inside the vehicles at that time I advised of a gas smell which I have been smelling for several years and it was getting stronger. I was told that there was something wrong with the fuel pump and it would need to be replaced and they would also be replaci... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 14, 2024
Incident date: Jan 14, 2024
My 2021 Wrangler began experiencing a violent shaking and reduction of steering control in July 2023. The violent shaking would begin if my vehicle hit a bump while traveling at 65 mph or more. To regain control, I would have to brake and reduce speed to under 65mph (which also is extremely dangerous to do on a freeway). Thunder Jeep in Bartow, FL replaced a broken steering component that temporar... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
Hcu, hydraulic control unit, no abs, no traction control, no cruise, no 4x4 and emergency brake light on won’t go off and part is not available been waiting for over a year and a half
Incident date: Sep 25, 2023
This Hyundai Tucson was 3 months old when the transmission started to shudder and miss gears. I immediately took it in to Ken Garff Hyundai and the service advisor drove the car and said nothing is wrong with the car and that the transmission needs to break in and sent me on my way. The Tucson did it again while in traffic and the vehicle would not go and I had to put my hazard lights on and let t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
The truck flashes service antilock brake system, service eletronic brake system. It cancels the cruise control on truck. On several occassions it shuts off cruise while on the interstate. You have to react very quickly to avoid having an accident. A couple of times its happened while pulling a travel trailer and nearly got rear ended by semi truck. Thats really scarey. It started about 8 months ag... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2024
1 abs warning light and buzzer come on every 2 mile which is a distraction 2 if warning does stay off for 5 miles and speed control is set will work but when warning goes off speed control kicks off causing traffic flow problems almost got hit from rear got honked at and finger 3 been waiting for over a year for part dealer says it is not available 4 called dodge ram phone number for compla... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2023
I am writing to report a series of safety concerns regarding my 2017 Chevy Volt, which have persisted despite multiple attempts to address them with the dealership. These issues pose significant risks to my safety and that of others on the road. On January 18th, 2024, I brought my vehicle to the Provo Utah Chevrolet dealer after experiencing reduced propulsion power while driving on the highway, ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2024
My dash Cluster quit working,the only part that works I can read my miles but I don't have the PRND321.
Incident date: Feb 9, 2024
When driving the car abruptly slows down. This also happened on the freeway. I get an error message that says “power limited” and a turtle symbol. This is the second time this issue has happened. Tesla service center has not been able to confidently diagnose this issue. They say it’s resolved and once I leave the service center and the problem comes back.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
After making a right turn, the car accelerated automatically and drove onto the sidewalk. The driver was hitting the brakes and attempting to redirect the vehicle with the steering wheel but both components of the vehicle were locked, causing the vehicle to lose control and crash into several things on the sidewalk (flower pot, parked cars, building pillars). The Tesla is completely dead so we are... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 2, 2017
While driving, the throttle body valve malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to rapidly lose power and go into an engine "safe mode." The check engine light appeared on the dash. I was luckily able to pull over to the side of the road. Restarting the vehicle cleared the error, but the issue continued to recur until I was able to get home. Luckily the sudden loss of power did not cause an incident... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
While driving my Pathfinder, the transmission hesitated, jerked, and spuddered while trying to merge into traffic. Almost caused a severe accident. This was not the first time this has happened and Nissan refuses to do anything about the CVT transmission that apparently has been recalled in the past as well as had lawsuits against it. There are no warning lights or notice at all before this hap... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2017
NHTSA recall # 23V-411 (FCA#66A) was performed, but did not fix the issue with lost power. Even though the recall "fix" didn't work, FCA said that the proper fix wasn't covered, because the vehicle isn't under warranty. According to the dealership, the tone wheel needs replaced, and they said FCA should cover the cost.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
Recent cold weather starts in the morning (40-50 degrees fahrenheit) have caused my car to have poor or stalled acceleration. It will occasionally not go past 20 or 40 mph while the RPMs rev high. The DTC error code would read P2565 as a pending code. An independent mechanic changed out my transmission fluid and switched out my boost pressure sensor but the problem is still there. Hyundai says tha... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2023
1. Uncertain which part failed. 2. safety was put at risk due to car not able to accelerate. Car would not go over 20 miles an hour on the interstate access road where traffic was going by at 50 –60 mph - four-way flashers were on and had to pull off at the first available turn but it was scary 3. Contacted local Hyundai; they are investigating a possible loaner, but haven’t said what they wi... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
The 2021 Subaru Forester had been functioning normally with no warning lights. About 25 minutes into the drive I had come to a stop light on an upward incline. When the light turned green I moved from the brake to the gas as usual. However the auto-start function on the car failed, causing the engine to stall. A loud clunking sound was heard and the dashboard lit up with multiple lights, although ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
Battery failure due to parasitic draw from Ignition IOD fuse ( J13fuse) reads 0.9 draw and M11 fuse ( hvac system) reads 0.6 draw. First occurrence 2/10/24 and second occurrence 2/11/24. Informed auto repair shop on 2/12/24 and goes in for diagnostic 2/15/24. Abs control module failure( intermittent ) Egr valve replacement (8/9/24 due to overheating but no warning lights due to overheating was di... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2024
Vehicle loses power every gmc vehicle I have owned (3) seen to have this issue throttle pedal position sensor while driving on the interstate vehicle speed drops to reduce engine power which is very scary and dangerous
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
I was driving my car when suddenly the speedometer started going from 0-60 back and forth, the rpms was all over the place, the brake light came on and stayed on and the lights was going from bright to dim, there was a couple more lights aluminized on my dash. After googling the problem that nearly caused me and my children to crash, there is so many people affected by this same problem in the 200... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2017) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 11, 2024
Incident date: Feb 11, 2024
2022 Honda Accord is experiencing a “traction control” light turning on randomly. Following that, multiple indicators turn on which disable the functions of economy, cruise control, and other features. When the traction warning is flashing, the vehicle makes an electrical sound.
Incident date: Jan 16, 2024
Unintentional acceleration
Incident date: Jul 21, 2023
After several years of fighting problems with, after braking to a brief stop, the loss of power/abs grinding when accelerating and turning right, now the ABS is completely dysfunctional. Both TRC lights will turn on and usually the parking brake, and when braking at speeds less than 10mph the abs will activate and prevent bring the truck to a stop without pumping them, on dry pavement. When the AB... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2024
While trying to set cruise control, this vehicle has the option of standard cruise or adaptive. There is a toggle button, however, is is so sensitive I am never able to toggle to standard cruise. Naturally I am driving and the toggle will not go to standard. Poor design and super sensitive feature. This is one of many different features that do this. I have found my eyes moving to this to see if I... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
At approximately 13:12 CST on [XXX], I exited the car wash at a gas station in Rochester, MN. I drove around to the front of the gas station to park so I could go inside to replenish the car wash card. At approximately 13:13 CST, as I was turning right, pulling into the parking space near the entrance, the truck accelerated unexpectedly and collided with a cement parking pilon (sp?). I am unsure... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 9, 2024
COMPLAINT/INCIDENT.On February 9th 2024, I was making a right hand turn onto main Street. My speed was under 10mph, closer to 5mph. . Without any warning or MIL, my truck suddenly went from easy steering to unable to move the steering column and jerked/locked the wheel by 90 degrees to the left. In other words, the steering wheel went from the 3:00 position and locked into place at the 12:00 posit... Read more
Incident date: Feb 9, 2024
Shortly after our purchase we started having issues with the vehicle, the backup camera is not functioning, the backup sensors are not functioning, the collision mitigation is braking abruptly while we are driving even when there are no objects in the surrounding area nearly causing us two accidents, our dashboard display has no function and the display flashes off and on. My nephew suffers from... Read more
6 injured
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 10, 2024
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
Truck took off with out me touching the gas in a parking lot had to hit the brakes several times then shifted hard and speedometer quit work and the wrench symbol popped up on the dash and it throw code PO720 which is the output shaft speed sensor /lead frame
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
Jan '22 - Reported check engine light had begun to turn off and back on when gas tank was low. Feb '22 At 19k miles catalytic convertor reported failed for code (P0420), 3 way catalyst, upper and lower gaskets, and manifold all needed to be replaced - took 4 days Aug'23 called to request service for check engine light because it was coming off and on over periods of time. Scheduled for Sep'23 Sep ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 9, 2024
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
Driving on highway suddenly multiple warnings ⚠️ lights on (about 10) warnings lights like check engine, transmission system, power steering system brake assist ,holding brake system, line departure assistance, hill assistance, emission system, ACC system, VAS system, blind spot assistance and lack of power hitting gas (Accelerate pedal) no response car slow down by itself becomes 20mph on 55m... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
abs lite comes on. service electronic braking system message. cruise will not work when fault is active. second time for this. fixed first time under warranty. truck only has 60k miles.
Incident date: Dec 30, 2023
On 1/24/24, I was pulling into my garage. I pressed the “p” button to park. The vehicle suddenly lurched forward and accelerated through my garage, knocking down my fence which damaged my neighbor’s garage. No one was physically hurt. Audi engineer inspected the car and looked at the “black box” data. He concluded there was no malfunction of the brakes and referred this as an insurance m... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 12, 2020
My radar to let me know i was going to hit something didn't go offer. It has never failed before and has been overactive actually which I appreciated before. I was doing 60 with my paraplegic wife (luckily not our 5 year old as well though) in the right lane because it's safer to go slower and be there. I was distracted by a strange machine being transported on a truck to my left. This was my fau... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2023
The forward collision avoidance system made me have accident. I was driving on the expressway, the forward collision made the car stop abruptly, then accelerate. As I was veering to the right, the car stopped again in the middle of the expressway causing me to have an accident. This is unacceptable and very unsafe. This vehicle is not safe to drive with the collision warnings.
Crash
GMC
TERRAIN NA
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 8, 2024
Incident date: Jan 14, 2024
EXTENED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR PCM REPROGRAMING INTHE EVENT ABS VEHICLE SPEED SIGNAL RELATED COMMUNICATION LOSS THAT DISABLE OBDII SYSTEM MONITORS.
Incident date: Dec 29, 2022
3 months prior to my car going into limp mode I had an incident where I was on the highway and had to come to a stop of major traffic and suddenly my car cut off out of nowhere. I got it to crank after putting it in park, but it was very scary being on the highway thank God it was traffic to where cars wasn't going so fast. Fast-forward to my recent incident to now my car's now in limp mode (MIL) ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2024
While in motion, the wrench on the dash lights up and the truck downshifts. It matches the description that goes with the recall for the speed sensor and the truck being reprogrammed. The symptoms, the truck info, the assembly plant and date all fit the recall but it's not on the recall list.
Incident date: Feb 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration almost causing the driver to lose control of the steering wheel before stopping the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed back to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. T... Read more