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: Jan 1, 2023
When driving, an acceleration would sometime cause the car's RPMs would drop to zero with the throttle of the vehicle responding poorly. A lose of power occurs and the takes about 15 seconds to feel some power return to the throttle. The feeling of no throttle occurs which is very scary when your reason for accelerating is to pass a vehicle but the sudden lose of power makes it difficult to accele... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2024
Especially when traveling over rises or dips, or when accelerating after a school zone, the car frequently shakes, sometimes violently.
Incident date: May 10, 2024
Vehicle is a 2017 RAM 3.0L ECO-DIESEL. Vehicle's electronic throttle control service light came on. Vehicle was taken to dealership for diagnostic. Safety recall 66A/NHTSA 23V-411 was performed for software. Transmission was diagnosed with a bad Tone Wheel (RAM recall X94-Warranty Extension. Applies to RAM vehicles built on or after June 13, 2014 and on or before March 26, 2018 equipped with a 3.0... Read more
Incident date: May 3, 2024
After driving the car about 5 miles at about 10 miles per hour while decelerating the transmission shifted into neutral requiring me to need to pull over to the side of the road, put the car in park, turn it off and back on again, this has now happened 3 times in the span of about 1 week.
Incident date: May 9, 2024
After stopping at a stop sign I attempted to cross the traffic to enter another lane. When I began to proceed I lost all power to the vehicle. The engine was still running but the accelerator pedal had no effect on the engine. As i was trying to cross the traffic, the vehicles I was trying avoid were now having to brake for me because I was in the middle of the road with no power. There were no w... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2023
After the recent 1-month free trial of FSD, my basic autopilot does not keep speed and will reset the programmed speed. This causes my car to slow rapidly and unexpectedly. This erratic change of speed creates a safety issue on the road due to the car slowing with no warning and without reason. Tesla has evaluated the vehicle remotely and has said it is performing normally despite this behavior... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
The traction control system engages too frequently and makes the vehicle unable to accelerate and far too long to disengage, endangering my family during right turns onto lanes with traffic. the traction control system will engage even when there is no loss of traction, only a moderate acceleration with some turn angle. this has caused near accidents about once a month, that both me and my wife... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
The car has a mind of its own but now it's a constant problem. I will be trying to go and it's like it shift to nuetural and I loose all powers so I keep pushing gas tell it does something. so i don't cause a accident. When this happens the middle screen where shows speed and stuff like reboots . It will also sometimes say gear not availiable. There is no warning lights on. I try not to drive unle... Read more
HYUNDAI
GENESIS COUPE
(2013) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 9, 2024
Incident date: Apr 19, 2024
Vehicle shuts off while driving in traffic at low and high speeds stabilitrak service light comes on and the vehicle dash goes dark Radio and temp control panel go dark/ black
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 3500
(2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 9, 2024
Incident date: May 9, 2024
Without warning and while driving this vehicle on expressway, I've received the following notifications several times: "Brake Failure" (car brakes on its own); "Service Stability and Auto Hold"; and "High Voltage" and Battery. Brakes, speed, steering, parking systems and camera do not work properly. Car's capacity to drive vehicle safely is reduced significantly - speed to drive car is immediat... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2024
The contact owned a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the instrument panel began to behave erratically, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, prompting her to attempt to quickly veer to the shoulder of the roadway. As a result, the contact was sideswiped by another vehicle on the driver's side. The air bags did not deploy. All warning lights we... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 8, 2024
I was slowly pulling into a parking spot and slowly removed my foot from the break with the jeep catapulted forward nearly hitting the car parked alongside. Had to hit the brakes so hard, tires screeched. It happened again several more times while slowing down or stopped at intersections. Have had to hit the brakes with both feet almost standing on brake. No warning or notifications. It feels... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2024
After backing up and then putting the car in Drive, without warning the car accelerated uncontrollably accelerted, spun around twice and struck another vehicle before stopping.
Crash
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2023) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 8, 2024
Incident date: Apr 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the check engine and the STOP and START warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2024
The vehicle's speedometer shows an inaccurate reading, up to 7MPH less than the actual speed. This has been verified multiple times, measured against WAZE and a speedometer app. At lower speeds, i.e., less than 30MPH, the divergence between the speedometer and the true speed is 1-3MPH. At medium speeds, between 40-60MPH, the divergence is 5-7MPH. At highway speeds, the speedometer initially shows ... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2024
This has been happening multiple times since December 25th, 2023. Presently, it's in the shop for the 6th time. This orange light comes on and then right after the vehicle just stops or slows down. Nothing is in front of or behind me. It's random...happens at night or anytime during the day and it stops itself while driving. It has been taken to the dealership 6 times since December and the pro... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
Cruise control would not disengage. Instead it accelerated me to 85 mph is rush hour traffic. The car continued to accelerate will out responding to any commands to turn off cruise control. Second time this has happened. It was supposed to be fixed by doing an update to the car. This did not work. The second time I attempted to use cruise control after having had the long block engine replaced due... Read more
Crash
1 injured
TOYOTA
SEQUOIA HYBRID
(2023) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 7, 2024
Incident date: May 7, 2024
2024 Palisade is not responding when I accelerate. I feel the suv not responding and other cars were close to hit me from behind.
Incident date: May 7, 2018
I was in the service lane waiting for an oil change for my 2022 RAM 1500. My car was in parking mode. A service tech plugged a "pod" or "OBD2" and asked me to drive the car with the pod plugged. As soon as I tried to pull out my lane the car acceleraterated even though I was not pressing on the gas pedal. I tried to hit the brake but car would not stop for few seconds until I hit the parked car in... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into reverse with the brake pedal depressed; however, the vehicle independently accelerated. The vehicle reversed quickly; however, the contact's wife was able to regain control of the vehicle. The contact's wife stated that the failure recurred while shifted into drive with the brake pedal depressed. The conta... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2023
As I’m driving 75 MPH, my car slows down and on the dash board it reads 20 MPH LIMIT. I’m on the Expressway and, prayerfully, by putting on my HAZARD BLINKERS, I pull over, wherever it’s safe, turn car off, restart the car and then it’s fine. PLEASE HELP BECAUSE THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION! SCARED 😨 😱 This has occurred SEVERAL TIMES.. Approximately 1 month ago I took it int... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2024
Truck down shifts randomly while driving and does not shift when it is supposed to on take off the RPMs go up 3 something. You can stop turn truck off and it starts to work again for 1 or 2 take offs then does it again.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
Incident Tesla Model S was up to date on recalls as far as we can tell, including the recent autopilot update via Tesla internet vehicle update releases. While driving in autopilot mode on the freeway in the lane next to the HOV lane, the autopilot got confused as to which lane it should keep and failed to maintain its lane. Incident vehicle drifted across the double lines into the HOV lane, where... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Maverick. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, th... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2024
Numerous times, I have been driving with absolutely no other vehicles or obstacles surrounding my vehicle, and it would suddenly activate the automatic braking system without warning, leading to a very rapid deceleration from a high rate of speed, almost causing me to crash.
Incident date: May 6, 2024
When using cruise control, my 2023 Tesla Model 3 will aggressively brake without warning or apparent cause. The braking is near maximal - as though the vehicle is attempting to prevent an imminent collision. This defect poses a hazard to occupants of vehicles behind mine as well as myself and my passengers as sudden braking could cause a rear-end collision and cascading loss of control. Inclement ... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2024
The Fisker Ocean is an unsafe vehicle. In the two and a half months I have owned the vehicle, I have experienced the following serious safety issues that have put other vehicles and my self at risk: - The vehicle will accelerate unexpectedly, nearly causing me to crash into a vehicle ahead of me on one occasion and almost run into oncoming traffic in another occasion. - Blind spot protection is in... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2022
ABS system went out in my truck, according to the internet you have getting LOTS of complaints about this issue, anything happening?
Incident date: May 2, 2024
•What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine shut off and I lost the ability to accelerate. The issue only resolved when I turned off the vehicle and opened my car door while on the highway and had oncoming cars driving next to me at 55+ MPH. After shutting the car door and turning the vehicle back on, I was able to continue to dr... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2024
Intermittent “service ABS system” light on dash resulting in loss of ABS, cruise control, park-sense, and 4x4. No amount of troubleshooting from a reputable diesel mechanic has been able to fix this. From what I have read online this is a very common issue and the truck likely needs an HCU/ABS module
Incident date: May 2, 2024
the integrated trailer brake controller does not perform enought to actually engage the trailer brakes on multiple trailers. this should be a recall issue for ram. we have two ram trucks with the same issue.
Incident date: May 6, 2024
I was traveling at about 60 miles per hour when I attempted to accelerate slightly to stay with traffic. It seemed like the car wouldn't change gears, but the engine decreased in power. It did not seem that the vehicle had any "power". The car would not increase in speed. I noticed the "wrench" warning light, which corresponds to the drive train of the car. I was able to coast into the next smal... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The vehicle transmission shift is controlled by buttons to the right of the dashboard. The letters identify Power on/off, R, Dr., etc.. The identifying imprints for each shift within a short time are erased, making it impossible to readily identify and engage in the appropriate gear or command. This poses a hazard when approaching a difficult traffic situation, when parking, or a safety issue w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 25, 2024
Transmission, vehicle stops functioning without notice on the road while driving acceleration stops. The problem was confirmed to be a transmission failure by chevrolet. The inspection was done by chevrolet to confirm the transmission has failed. The vehicle started to jump when sitting still and the drive train for 2wheel/4whell did stop working it only allowed the vehicle to be moved in 2whell d... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2024
Codes P219C & P0301 have continuously came on , these lights MIL have made the vehicle go from AWD to 2 wheel drive while in motion. [XXX] vehicle was taken to Bay Ridge Lexus. In brooklyn NY. They over looked this issue and stated it was something else. This has been confirmed via multiple diagnostics machines. Lexus of Edison has also decided not to cover this repair under warranty . The danger... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
2018 gmc Seirra 1500 8 speed transmission. Making unsafe conditions while driving transmission tends to make hard shifts, jerks, hesitation when moved into gear, gets worse when stopping momentarily at stop lights and then trying to accelerate vehicle will not move. Makes hard shift and jerks then will accelerate in an unsafe manner.
Incident date: May 6, 2024
This has happened quiet a bit I'm driving on the highway going 75mph set my cruise control and I go to pass or up a hill and the truck engine and tranny light start flashing the truck losses power it won't go even when u push petal to floor it also spits and sputters if u turn of the cruise control put the car n neutral and shut it off then back on it stops this seems to b an constant thing there'... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2024
While driving the vehical at 70 mph it suddenly lost power and all of the warning lights on the dash started to light up, was able to pull over to the side of the road safely. Turned the car off and opened up the door, closed the door and started it back up and the instrument cluster continued to throw signals. Had it towed to the dealership and am awaiting a response.
Incident date: Nov 24, 2023
While I am driving the vehicle will shut completely off without warning. I have to pull to the side of the road and restart the vehicle.
Incident date: Apr 26, 2024
Vehicle's engine suddenly cut out during driving ~15 mph. Multiple warning lights flashed. Vehicle ran on battery and was able to go at slow velocity but then transitioned to accelerating when pedal was not engaged. Hazard lights would shut off suddenly after driver turned them on. "Limp mode" is commonly used term for what happened.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2024
Major safety concern. The vehicle gets stuck in first gear while the engine is running and the brake is released. It used to only do it when the vehicle had the engine auto-shut off featured turned on but now it does it permanently. I stopped driving the vehicle because there is a high risk of causing an accident.
Incident date: Apr 29, 2024
driving down I 90 at 65 mph, powertrain/ power malfunction light came on and power was reduced to 20 mph. Very dangerous . This happened at least 4 times until I was able to return home. shut truck off and would go until the warning light came back on. contacting dealer tomorrow
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Please look up my Facebook post for public safety awareness. All the details are explained [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Apr 30, 2024
While driving CA-17, as is frequently the case, I had to disengage automatic steering several times to correct its poor lane keeping. Much to my surprise, the vehicle stopped maintaining speed, creating a dangerous situation with vehicles behind me as the uphill road caused the vehicle to rapidly decelerate the second I turned the wheel. After experimentation, I discovered that Tesla has complet... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2015) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 4, 2024
Incident date: Mar 18, 2024
When operating under adaptive cruise control, the vehicle frequently slams on the brakes for no reason. This has become so bad that we are simply terrified to operate the vehicle under adaptive cruise control. The highway is completely empty in front of us, there are no hazards and no issues with visibility on the road. The cruise control simply reacts to a phantom in a highly dangerous manner. >... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2024
On April [XXX] at about [XXX] a.m., upon returning from exercising at the Peter Blum YMCA in Boca Raton, I was very slowly parking my car in the garage. The car was half way in when it suddenly accelerated forwards, impacting two bicycles standing on their racks at the end of the garage, the washing machine, the dryer, the water heater and through them, the garage back wall, where cracks were crea... Read more
Crash
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2023) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 4, 2024
Incident date: May 4, 2024
I bought a new 2016 Subaru Forester in March of 2016 from Subaru of Dayton. I have been hearing reports of unexpected acceleration. I have had two cases of this problem. Both times I was turning right. The first time I was pulling into a parking spot in a shopping center. As I turned right the car surged and I almost hit a light pole. Luckily when I jammed on the brakes, it stopped in time. The s... Read more
Incident date: Apr 29, 2024
The vehicle randomly shifts to first gear while driving at 30-45 MPH. The behavior is dangerous - in one case it caused me to lose control of my vehicle; in another, I was nearly rear ended. I was then forced to stop driving until I could have the car repaired. I paid to have the lead frame fixed. I’m told there was an extended warranty issued by Ford for this issue; however, because I drive my... Read more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2022
I have severe safety concerns about the malfunction of the vehicle’s regenerative braking system. Since I purchased the car, it has unexpectedly lurched forward during stop-and-go traffic on several occasions. This sudden and unpredictable acceleration poses a clear risk of collision and injury to both the vehicle’s occupants and other road users. Despite multiple attempts over the past six mo... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2011) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 3, 2024
Incident date: May 2, 2024
While traveling at normal speed (55-60MPH) Engine Power Reduced message pops up and car will not accelerate until I pull over, turn it off, then back on after a period of time. Message is beginning to come up frequently. Occurred 3 times this morning on the way to work.