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: Jan 25, 2024
I was slowly pulling into a parking spot with my foot on the brake and the vehicle suddenly accelerated. I hit the brake hard and the car eventually stopped but it did go onto the sidewalk before stopping. In the past, when I started the car, the engine would sometimes rev too much and I had to step on the gas while in park to get it to stop, but this is the first time it suddenly accelerated whil... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2023
The transmission module, and Transmission. While on freeway with my family car shut off while driving. Yes , Yes , No there were no warning signs until after the jerking and shaking started after 39 days then the engine light came on. After that a that the sign said transmission over heating pull over and let car cool down. what was most scary is that it shut off while driving.
Incident date: Dec 9, 2023
I own a 2017 Honda CRV EX AWD. While driving downhill on a mountain road on Dec. 9, 2023, all of my dashboard warning lights and alarms began flashing and sounding off. Some of the warnings cycled through one after another while others were simultaneous. I continued to drive looking for a safe place to pull over. Going downhill I was able to maintain some speed, but when the road leveled off I... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
Vehicle began flashing abs light and traction control light. Took vehicle in for repair. Was told this is a known issue and they are unable to aquire parts until june 2024 currently January 2024. Drove on 1-25-24 light was off used the breaks and abs light came on and breaks locked up and continued to skid on the ice almost causing me to go threw a stop sign into a ditch.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2016
There is an acceleration issue that only happens sporadically. From a stopped position (stop sign/stop light) when I let go of the break and start acceleration with the gas pedal, it doesn't work. Even if I press down more in the gas pedal, it merely creeps- as if it were in neutral. It happens with turns or going straight. I have no clue what could be causing it. The breaks still work, and the ga... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
The car intermittently will stop and wont accelerate, usually when in drive… on inclines, after slowing down. Dealer can’t diagnose the problem and it’s getting worse. It jerks and it’s dangerous to drive.
Incident date: May 7, 2023
For some reason my car won’t accelerate. Went to Nissan twice and they can’t do anything about it. I was on second gear almost stalling out on a slight hill and no acceleration on third gear that one time I was merging onto the highway.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
Your website has some trouble & won't accept my jpg files. First time to see this. I use cruise control all the time on 3 vehicles I own. But, this JEEP has a strange problem that is not safe. Almost all vehicles I have driven with cruise controls will exceed set speed by 1~3mph while going down a steep hill. But my JEEP will exceed by 5~7mph on steep hills. I have turned off cruise control when ... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2016) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 24, 2024
Incident date: Jan 24, 2024
The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that after driving into a parking space in a parking lot with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle jolted and veered to the right. The passenger's side of the vehicle hit the driver's side of another occupied vehicle. The other vehicle was scratched and there was no injury sustained. The contact stated she then reversed out of the park... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 4, 2024
The issue concerns my 2023 Telluride SX X-line (AWD) when driving in the "snow mode" setting. The issue has occurred on several occasions, approximately 2-3 times last winter when I was driving the vehicle and at least one time this winter when my wife was driving in snowy conditions. The issue is that the vehicle accelerator basically becomes unresponsive when driving in snow mode under a set of ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2024
ABS and Traction Control light on . This cancels out cruise control also. Vehicle was repaired at 23562 miles and is out again at 32000 miles. I have been on dealers waiting list for over a month. The part used for the repair must have been defective also. W11aiting time for the repair is entirely too long. Antilock brakes are a safety concern and should be quickly fixed.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle speed control failed to accelerate above 50 MPH. Pushing down on the accelerator would continue to increase RPMs, but instead the car would coast. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This malfunction made it impossible to reach highway speeds, which meant I was trav... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
Stalling, jerking, losing power
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
An intermenttent loss of the transmission output speed sensor signal to the powertrain control module resulting in a unattended downshift into first gear when accelerating.
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2024) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 23, 2024
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
On [XXX], I was traveling from Georgia to California in a 2024 Ford Maverick XLT 2.5L Hybrid with approximately 219 miles on the odometer, using cruise control set at 73 mph and in the ECO mode. I'd stopped for gas and upon returning to the highway [XXX]) the vehicle, still using cruise and in ECO mode, experienced an extreme reduction in power and the check engine light illuminated. I pulled o... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while stopped at a red light with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated and rolled forward. The contact quickly put the vehicle in park and was able to pull over down the road. The contact stated that while pulling over and then shifting from park to drive with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated, and the contact q... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2019) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 23, 2024
Incident date: Jan 23, 2024
When driving on the highway next to a large truck or semi and on a curve, the adaptive cruise control thinks that there’s a vehicle in front of you and slams on the brakes. This has happened a few times with my vehicle. Thankfully, there were no vehicles immediately behind me, or the results could’ve been tragic.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the performance of the transmission in my Nissan 2018 Nissan Sentra. Recently, I have encountered my car stopped accelerating and only able to drive backwards. I had a few transmission,shifting problems, jerking which has raised concerns about the overall reliability and safety of the vehicle. I understand your concern about Nissan transmissions. If yo... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
In September of this year, I would get a random code thrown by the computer, usually telling me that the sway bar disconnected required service, but sometimes it was also the 4wd system. These codes would reset themselves within a few minutes, but I still took it to a dealership for a checkup. The dealership told me that since it currently was not throwing any codes there wasn't really anything ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2024
I was driving on [XXX] in Virginia, speed limit is 70mph, a warning flashed in the screen: “Stop Safely, Vehicle will Shut Off Soon.” The car immediately began decelerating, I pulled off the highway and restarted the car, but it would only drive very slowly (approx 15mph). After restarting two more times, it was able to drive normally. This is the second such incident, the car is under warra... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2024
Driving on a two lane highway with the cruise control set, tapped brake to eliminate the cruise as a truck had pulled onto highway ahead of us. Accelerated to pass the truck and resumed the cruise control to maintain previous speed. The vehicle began increasing speed as if the gas pedal was floored. Tapping brakes didn’t stop it nor did shutting the cruise off on the steering wheel, car was go... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2024
1. these are manufacturing problems right after I got the car within 1-3 months the seat belt is exceedingly difficult for a child /toddler the seat belts go into the seat and other problems 2. the middle shift ( park reverse drive) shift with the button area when you're at a red light made of plastic 1 month after I got the car it keeps losing pins falling out and dropping down this happe... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
The cruise control stopped working and there is a collision/crash malfunction.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The truck developed a warning light for ABS / Stabilitrak needing to be serviced. Ram dealership replaced an ABS Pump, but the issue came right back. They are now saying it needs a new control module at great expense, but that they are unavailable currently. Delivery on the part has been pushed back continuously over the last 12 months, still no parts. This issue causes a regular intermittent digg... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
I have had a new engine put in my Sonata back at the beginning of 2023. For the past two days my car will jerk really hard, and then loose power not accelerating over 25 rpms and my check engine lights comes on when it jerks really hard.
Incident date: Jan 18, 2024
As I was backing into my driveway on Thursday 1/18/2024 @ 5:25 pm. I was on my way home from work. As I was backing into my driveway I lost power, the ABs and the MIL light both came on, the abs went off but the MIL began to flash and I lost all power in the car. I shut it off immediately and we pushed my car the rest of the way into the driveway. I had received a KIA Safety recall notice that sa... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
PASSAT
(2016) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 22, 2024
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
A few times I have pressed the brakes when coming to a red light and stop signs But instead of my vehicle stopping it propelled me forward as it excellerated out of no where and pushed me into oncoming traffic, I almost was hit by other cars and I almost hit other cars and even have had to swerve onto the side walk to prevent myself from getting g hit by another car. If there were people walking, ... Read more
2 injured
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
This vehicle has a "digital cockpit" without traditional analog gauges. It completely shut down on me while driving on the freeway, leaving me without a speedometer, and a red caution "do not drive" warning indicator. I have a video of this incident captured by my partner that I can share, as well as a static image, which I attach therein. Prior to this incident, it repeatedly shut down while d... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2023
Upon driving out of my school parking lot at approximately 15 to 20 miles per hour I noticed a cushiony filled with a brakes and all of a sudden I heard a shhh all of my lights popped up on my dashboard. When I took my vehicle in to be able to find out what was going on with it I was told that I need a master cylinder and a brake booster. This was after having my vehicle for only 3 years where I ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2024
Hello, Twice in the past two months, my car's engine has lost power while driving on the highway. First, while entering and merging onto the highway, and once while exiting the highway. Both times, the check engine light came on, pressing the gas pedal had no effect, and we could only coast to the side of the road. Both times we had to restart the vehicle. After the first incident, I went to t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
Check engine light came on and was blinking. Had to get it towed. There is an engine recall on my vehicle. Full diagnostics test was run showing faulty engine due to the engine recall.
Incident date: Jan 21, 2024
I am experiencing delays in transmission shifting when the vehicle is cold. This behavior has recently started at about 85k miles. I have taken to dealer and had the transmission oil changed and Ford recommended cleaning the solenoids (at my cost). The dealer also resets the controller to relearn as well. I experienced the issues while driving away after the work, but I have been asked to drive... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2024
Service anti lock braking system and electronic brake system code constantly coming on. This is an apparent safety issue that Dodge needs to resolve. After much research, I’ve discovered that there are many, many complaints of 2018 Ram truck owners having the same problems. Thanks for all your assistance.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
1. Under certain circumstances, the vehicle is able to decelerate using its regenerative braking system without illuminating the brake lights. This occurs during "one pedal driving" where the operator is driving only using the throttle to both accelerate and decelerate the car, without the input of mechanical brakes. This is a programming issue, not a mechanical issue. The brake lights are "trigg... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 25, 2023
VSS fault Hill hold control not working Loud knock from shifting gear Warranty company refused to provide towing , vehicle is under warranty till 2027. Escalated complaint unaddressed. Not notified of recall since December 2023. Purchased October 2023.
Incident date: Jan 21, 2024
Random Acceleration (Gas Pedal) when started from a cold start. When foot was not on any brake or gas pedal, van started to accelerate as if I had my foot on the gas pedal.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
The wrench light and check engine light continue to come on. The vehicle has been at the dealership for 5 weeks now and they cant figure out whats wrong with. This is the 3rd visit in 4 months for the same problem. The first time it occured driving it home from dealership the day we bought it. Codes continue to say powertrain malfunction/reduced power, specifically the torque convertor clutch fail... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
Service Antilock Braking System and Service Electronic Brake System will begin to constantly flash on the dash. It would display the ABS light and the Traction Control light. At this time it would also turn off cruise control while traveling down the highway. I purchased the truck with 62,000 miles on it on 12/28/2023 and the issue occurred on the way home and ever since. Since I was not aware of ... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 20, 2024
Incident date: Jan 20, 2024
The engine/ability to accelerate seemed to fail. It would not accelerate past 45mph and then couldn't even maintain that speed, even with the pedal to the floor. The engine sounded like it was revving at high RPMs and wasn't shifting into gear, even though it had just been in drive and operating normally. Yes, it is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk by not being able to accelerat... Read more
AUDI
Q4 E-TRON SPORTBACK
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 20, 2024
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
It had snowed in DC area. Vehicle was in snow mode, idle at stop light. When light turned green, slow acceleration turning left and then when pressing down on pedal, all acceleration stopped. Roads were cleared with no signs of snow or ice. Frightened driver and children in vehicle. Were able to coast to the side of the road, turned off vehicle and restarted and able to drive off. Clearly seems to... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2024
Vehicle displayed a “malfunction” warning followed by a notification the engine RPM would be limited to 1,200 and decelerated rapidly to 1,200 rpm and would not go past it. Vehicle would only drive at about 11-13 mph afterwards. Incident occurred on a downhill 5 minutes after starting driving in the morning. If this had happened on a highway at high speeds it could have been a very dangerous s... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
Electronic Braking system failure affecting the ABS system, Traction control, and cruise control. It puts the safety of everyone in the vehicle and on the road at risk because the ABS and cruise control will fail causing an unexpected adverse conditional that can lead to an accident. This is a known problem for RAM and their is no fix at this time other than making the customer pay out of pocket... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2024
2022 NIRO EV PHANTOM BREAKING WARRENTY DENIED WITH NO DAMAGE VISABLE What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? ACC SYSTEMS UNKNOWN KIA CLAIMS MY FRONT RADAR BRACKET IS OFF 1.9 DEGREES. THEY STATE THEIR NO NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE The text stating there was no damage, but Kia wants the bracket replaced, that’s reasonable but why they want you ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
On January 17 2024 as I am making my usual drive to work on a very busy interstate highway my 2016 Kia SORENTO EX V6 FWD AUTO 3.3 liter engine completely seizes up and so begins my nightmare. The same nightmare I am seeing time and time and time again reported on this site, and every site you do a simple search on 2016 KIA Sorento's for. As a result of the catastrophic engine failure, I (a f... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2023
ABS and traction control warning lights intermittently. Loss of cruise control. This appears to be a known problem with an expensive repair.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds for several hours, the vehicle lost acceleration. The driver was able to coast off the freeway. The oil warning light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who advised that the cam shaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The computer failed to communicate properly with the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2023
The ABS sensor failed on my vehicle, causing it to no longer accelerate past 20 mph on the highway. This put my safety at risk, as well as my passengers and others on the road because it happened suddenly while I was on the highway. My car could no longer accelerate suddenly while all cars around me were traveling at high speeds. The ABS light came on my dash, as well as the traction control and i... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2024
Sudden loss of power while on freeway with several errors being thrown onto driver's screen. Unable to accelerate. Was forced to coast to shoulder of road and come to a complete stop. Turned off vehicle and turned on again and issue was resolved.
Incident date: Jan 16, 2024
If you stall the car, upon restart there is a great degree of power loss. It seems like it's the VDC system turned up to the max, where it's limiting engine power, and applying the brakes. It makes the car much slower and difficult to get up to speed. This can cause a safety risk as it causes the car to perform unpredictably. When this happens, in order to reset the system and make it work normal,... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
Service electronic brake systems, service anti-lock brakes. replaced under warranty and now the light comes on intermittently. Obvious problem with the Ram trucks