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: Dec 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while he, his wife, and his son were in the vehicle he had begun veering right pulling into the driveway, at approximately 5 MPH, he had begun slightly releasing the brakes when the vehicle suddenly accelerated at accelerated high speeds. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal however the vehicle speed continued to accelerat... Read more
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
We were in a parking lot. When my husband (driver) put the car into reverse, it accelerated wildly, and the brakes would not work. We almost struck a pedestrian. We were able to put the car into park to stop it. We waited, checked to see if something was stuck under the pedal. Then my husband put the car into drive. It accelerated wildly again. Brakes did not work. We nearly struck a car. We waite... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2023
I was slowly traveling up my gravel drive. As I turned to follow the drive to the right, my car suddenly accelerated. I hit the brake and after pumping the brake (like when braking on ice) my car slowed back down. I immediately searched the internet for similar complaints.
Incident date: Dec 11, 2023
Please help Phantom braking is getting worse
Incident date: Aug 10, 2023
When driving, sometimes a “Drive Mode Unavailable” message comes up on the infotainment. Drive modes in the MachE contribute to deceleration, one pedal driving, and throttle mapping, and switching abruptly from one to another without input from the driver is a safety issue as it can instantaneously change the deceleration or acceleration rate of the vehicle. This is a known bug that’s been ... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE HYBRID
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 10, 2023
Incident date: Dec 9, 2023
vehicle fails to accelerate, engine is “sputtering” and making a rattling sound and battery is draining to nothing on the freeway driving at normal speeds. vehicle is lurching and engine does not appear to be shifting as it should - car losing power and failing to accelerate despite being full of gas. transmission doesn’t feel like it is shifting properly. vehicle only has 8000 miles.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2023
The vehicle as of 12/9/2023 at 3:00pm CST is at a mileage of 79,503. We are consistently experiencing the slipping of gears when the truck is switched from park to drive. The first couple gears seem to slip as it accelerates. The speedometer will be showing at under 10mph, and the truck will jerk forward. The engine/transmission gets loud as if the car is still in a lower gear as it’s accelerati... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
After transitioning from i35 south, to Highway 183 towards Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the auto-pilot (Ford Blue Cruse) fails, the speedometer fails, the battery level indicator fails, the instrument cluster fails, cruse control picks a random speed and struggles to keep it, lane keep assist is erratic at best. This occurs every time, and in both directions, I take my vehicle on that h... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
Twice the ABS hydraulic control unit has become faulty and no unavailability of parts. The “issued warning” from Chrysler corp is be weary as the truck no longer has cruise control, 4 wheel drive, and a warning light and audible alarm that comes and goes to on/off every two to three seconds causing an immense amount of mental irritation while driving. This vehicle has been looked at twice by d... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 9, 2023
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Started 2-3 months ago and is progressively getting worse. Battery drop from charged down to 2% randomly. Battery would drop 1% every 3 seconds. During highway drive it would cancel out cruise control and/or limited power down to 30mph. Which almost caused accident for the sudden loss of power. Brought to dealer and found no issues, waiting for next appointment in 2 weeks (next opening) to br... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2023
While driving in traffic the check transmission light came on and car would no longer accelerate coming to a stop in traffic. Gears were not recognized per dash lights. Towed to shop for transmission repair which failed again within a six month time frame when once again while driving check engine light, check transmission light, check temp light all alternately started flashing, car quit accelera... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
I pulled over to take a phone call. The car was in park but idling. When I finished the call, I put the car in drive and released my foot from the brake. The car began to accelerate as if I was pressing the accelerator, but I was not. I checked the make sure there was no obstruction near the pedals. There was nothing there, no random object, no floor mat, nothing. I tried to release my foot a few ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Ref NHTSA TRACKING # 11557625 Vehicle broke down again within 5K miles and 45 days of prior repair referenced in above case. Similar conditions, highway speed, bucking and vibrating, loss of speed control, no warning. Subsequent repair confirmed same issue (fuel injector) as original breakdown/repair and my initial notification to NHTSA.
Incident date: Jun 8, 2023
My abs control computer has failed. No abs/esc or cruise control. Dodge says the controller is on engineering hold and will not be available until March of 2024 at the earliest. This has been out since May. It is a safety issue that I need repaired. I cannot believe it has taken so long to get the part.
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 8, 2023
Incident date: Dec 2, 2023
Engine is making weird noise and a mechanic told me it’s related to this recall that still has “no remedy” when it should’ve been a recall YEARS ago when the cars first came out and this issue became more apparent. I do not want to keep driving the car I paid hard earned money for just for a manufacturer defect to destroy it
Incident date: Nov 28, 2023
I was pulling slowly into a parking spot. The vehicle accelerated all of a sudden on its own very fast. I slammed on the brakes and the vehicle did not stop. It ran us on a sidewalk and crashed into a pole. Luckily no one hurt. Progressive is calling the car a total loss, but they have done nothing The car is still at a parking lot near the crash. Nissan is also doing nothing. I feel that I ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 14, 2023
the vehicle will lose power without warning on a regular basis. the vehicle will also accelerate unexpectedly when switching from battery to engine power at speeds under 50 mph. I have taken the vehicle to the dealer and have been informed there is nothing they can do for me, the vehicle does not have any faulty components.
Incident date: Nov 2, 2023
This vehicle has a very dangerous malfunction. There was no power when I tried to move out of the way of an out-of-control semi truck while driving on the highway by pressing the pedal. I made every effort to maneuver because I was terrified. But because of the power outage, I could have died. This is really worrying, and I hope you can address the issue raised by Chevy so that someone else might ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 6, 2023
Incident date: Dec 5, 2023
Car keeps running out of gas while driving, due to faulty readings on the gas gauge and electronic readout. I have been driving this car for 11 years and never ran out of gas until running out 3 times in the past 2 months. Today was the 3rd occurrence, gas gauge showed over 1/4 tank and 85 miles to go until empty. Previous incident was similar with 1/4 tank and showing 65 miles to go. (Pic... Read more
Incident date: May 17, 2023
ABS control module has been back order since June 2023. Abs light flashes and bing on regular bases. Cruise will not work when the ABS light is on. I’ve been on a wait list since June 2023, truck is very annoying trying to drive with constant binging. Towing my 5th wheel is very concerning with on going ABS module problems.
Incident date: Dec 6, 2023
This has happened on two different occasions. While driving the vehicle the alternator has gone out and there is no warning that there is any problem but you lose your throttle control and the car loses power and is unable to accelerate. The 1st time this happened I was in the middle of an intersection trying to make a left turn and lost all power to be able to move the car. Luckly no one was comi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 6, 2023
Vehicle reversing malfunctioned , may be a software defect. Vehicle while reversing without pressing the accelerator went berserk and hit another vehicle in the driveway. Vehicle data was provided by Tesla but there is no evidence of collision nor any video recording of the incident. No issues were seen nor any warnings displayed prior to the vehicle reversing itself. However insurance deemed it... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
This car has demonstrated repeated incidents of moving/driving backwards when it is set in Drive/Forward via the steering wheel control. This was first reported to Tesla in December of 22. Their service center responded that they could not identify a cause or propose a repair. They commented that it was an engineering and/or software problem. I provided them with multiple date/time stamps. videos ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2014) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 6, 2023
Incident date: Dec 6, 2023
The contact owned a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while stopped at the red traffic light with her disabled daughter sitting in the rear driver's side seat, the vehicle lurched forward abruptly and hit the rear of another occupied vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle was damaged. The front driver's side and front passenge... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Dec 6, 2023
All driver assist functions failing
ALLIANCE RV
PARADIGM
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 6, 2023
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
When pressing the cruise control button, then pressing down on the toggle switch, the car accelerates to 80 MPH. I was doing this because that is how my old Honda worked. The Ford dealership claimed that one sets the speed by pressing up (+) on the toggle switch. This works as it should, however, I fear that someone else is going to use the wrong combination of buttons and crash at 80 MPH. Pressin... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2022
I have had multiple phantom breaking on the highway in when use Autopilot in my 2023 Telsa model Y. I scared of using the Autopilot now cause of an accident on the highway.
VOLKSWAGEN
PASSAT
(2015) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 5, 2023
Incident date: Sep 2, 2023
The three issues above seems to be related or affect the other and does not allow cruise control to operate. The air bag light remains on and associated component light up the dash. Surprisingly, my VIN does not show up for air bag repair. I wish I did not have to wait for possible recall announcement for my vehicle before I can get it repaired and instead to fix it now. Frustrating.
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
Every car sold in America goes up to a speed that is illegal everywhere in America. Countless lives would be saved if cars were unable to go over 120 mph for example--a speed that no one can argue they should have a right to go, and no reasonable driver would ever approach
99 injured
99 deaths
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
When driving at 55MPH with cruise control on, the car suddenly accelerated to 75MPH, this happened on the open road and was able to keep under control. Auto has less than 10,000 miles. I will be contacting Hyundai customer service for a case number on this incident. First indication of a problem was cruise control, auto braking failed iin June of 2023. This follows a replacement of defective fron... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
Failure to comply in a timely manner regarding NHTSA Recall Number23V727 Summary ON YOUR VEHICLE, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT ILLUMINATE IF THE BRAKE FLUID IS DEPLETED FROM THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. Safety Risk THIS MAY RESULT IN NO BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS BELOW THE RECOMMENDED LEVEL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR, WHICH MAY INCREASE T... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
Failure to repair NHTSA Recall Number 23V727 Summary ON YOUR VEHICLE, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT ILLUMINATE IF THE BRAKE FLUID IS DEPLETED FROM THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. Safety Risk THIS MAY RESULT IN NO BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS BELOW THE RECOMMENDED LEVEL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Incident date: Aug 23, 2023
Car experienced sudden loss of power while driving. Warning appeared 'Propulsion Power Reduced.' Was able to continue driving short distance home and parked. Attempted to recharge battery but it would not accept charge. I was able to restart car again with "Propulsion Power Reduced' and drove to dealer. Diagnosis: Body Control Module (BCM) failed. Unit was replaced. Vehicle drove normally ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with the Adaptive Cruise Control engaged, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal to overtake another vehicle; however, after overtaking the other vehicle, the vehicle continued to accelerate independently. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle decelerated temporarily and continued to accelerate ind... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2022
Check engine light came on. Display stated that the engine will run at reduced power which meant we had to Limp home at 15 MPH which put us in a dangerous situation. I read the code and it was P2122. Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch “D” Circuit Low Input. This indicates that there is a problem with the accelerator pedal. I replaced the pedal myself at a cost of $114.00. I eventually found... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 4, 2023
Incident date: Dec 4, 2023
Twice in the last 4 months, after turning into a parking place and accelerating gently to pull forward into the space, the car surged forward much more than it should have given my light acceleration. The first time this happened I slammed into a split rail fence which broke, damaging the vehicle. The fence parts went over a restraining wall and damaged a house. I was able to stop the car but it... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 25, 2023
The component that failed was the long block and is currently available for inspection. The date when the issue 1st appeared was Nov 20 2023. The issue has since been isolated as a coolant leak in my cylinders and Ford is very aware of the issue and has a TSB 22-2229 discussing some of the symptoms. The coolant intrusion compromised the motors ability to react to demand for power. The vehicle shak... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2023
Car dies repeatedly while on the road driving and also while parked. Car has errors on dashboard when attempting to turn on, which I have a video of. First mechanic was able to replicate issue once and got some scan tool codes but he said after that, they all cleared out and he wasn't able to replicate. Car was given back to us, drove to store died and it wouldn't start in parking lot. Mechanic se... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
ABS light and traction control warning on dash. Truck has been in shop previously for the same issue. This causes my truck to lose cruise control at highway speeds and to not have traction control capabilities when driving on wet roads. I will be taking the truck back in to the shop this week as this is occurring at all times and does not stop dinging.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The vehicle has twice been disabled while driving due to “lost communication with hybrid module powertrain control module.” This breakdown is a significant safety hazard as the car loses power and coasts to a stop without any warning. The second time was on a 65 mph highway. Neither time has had any warning before the malfunction lights appeared. The first time occurred on 10/7, and the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
It is easy, when driving in automatic mode, to accidently touch one of the paddle shifters. In doing so, the automatic transmission disengages, and the transmission suddenly switches to control by the paddle shifters. If the driver is unaware of this, the vehicle can lose motive power if the gear then in effect is no longer fitting for the vehicles speed and the engine's RPM. I recently took th... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The Hydraulic Control Unit Chrysler part number 68143491AA failed and was replaced on my vehicle. I had the vehicle back to the dealer numerous times before they replaced this item. 14000 miles later the same problems are happening again. This causes the Anti-lock braking system and Traction control system to no longer function limiting function under wet or slippery conditions. This puts the... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2023
ABS system/ Traction control system/ 4wheel drive system/ cruise control. I had the ABS system repaired/replaced once this year already and now i need it done again. ABS failure makes the 4wheel drive system fail and it's winter time and i need 4 wheel drive for safety.
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
My gas pedal stuck flat to the floor and the plastic gas pedal broke causing me to hit a cement pillar in front of Knick trip
Crash
Incident date: Aug 29, 2023
Component/System Failed:The stability control system, and subsequently, the cruise control system of my 2019 Ram 2500 malfunctioned. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risks:The malfunction posed a significant safety risk as it occurred multiple times while driving at speeds of 50mph to 74mph. The unexpected failure of the stability control could lead to a loss of vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
I was on the way home from work when out of no where the engine light and a indicator saying low engine oil pressure came on I totally lost power driving on a highway and the car came to a stop. Mechanic told me it was the oil belt tensioner caused the engine failure and now i have to pay 4000 dollars on top of my monthly car and insurance company for a vehicle that just quite on me.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
I was driving on the highway on a trip and out of no where my car shuttered and then flashed service transmission soon, I pulled over and my car would no longer drive, reverse or go into neutral. The tow company reset my battery to try to reset my car system. After that my car wouldn’t really go past 60. I followed the tow truck to the nearest town and it stalled again at the light and I could n... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 2, 2023
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
I purchased this vehicle used, I started having transmission issues here and there and now it's more frequent. I travel from Houston tx to Katy Texas weekly and travel on I-10, the most dangerous road in Houston with my 9 year old daughter and 2 year old son. There have been several times where I was almost rear ended because the vehicle shifted gears and when I would push the accelerator the vehi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2023
I started my vehicle, as usual, and when driving at a very slow speed (neighborhood speed limits) I approached a very busy intersection and the car just stopped. Not only did it stop, it would not steer and a bunch of warning lights came on the dashboard. Tav I believe, oil, check engine light. Even with the key in the acc mode, the power steering was not functioning. Everything just stopped funct... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
I was headed straight but stopped so that I could move into a left turn lane. As I got into the left turn lane and was straightening up behind the person in front of me at almost a dead stop the R1S lunged forward and accelerated at a high rate of speed hitting the car in front of me (speed control issue already known on the R1T). The camera footage verifies it. No warning lights went off (forward... Read more
Crash
1 injured