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: Nov 30, 2023
I've had multiple failures on this vehicle. First, the engine had a rod knock and Acura gave me a very hard time approving the repair and eventually replacement of the engine. Second, the ADAS system is not working and is a huge safety concern. I keep getting error messages that my road mitigation and lane keeping assist systems do not work. Third, the ABS module system cannot communicate with my ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The Motor/engine consumes excess oil creating a burnt smell and a lot of whitesmoke coming out of the muffler. The vehicle is stalling constantly and won’t accelerate properly while driving. Creating an unsafe environment for me and those driving near me. I have repair and install new piece but non of them would fix the problem. I took it to the dealer and they didn’t find the problem. I have ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Sudden unintended acceleration appeared to cause the Tesla while parking the car on the street in front of home accelerate go out of control and crash into the home totaling the car and damaging the house. Two days prior the vehicle was brought into a Tesla service location where Tesla replaced the 12 volt battery that they believed was causing the car not to power on properly at that time. Afte... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
I rented a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee at our local airport (Monterey, California) and drove it to Los Angeles and back for a total of about 700 miles over four days. I am an experienced driver and have been working on cars all my adult life. On several occasions, I attempted to the use the cruise control function to set a fixed speed for my journey. In doing so, I would first turn cruise contro... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2019
My vehicle is equipped with EYESIGHT. I was driving to my home after work at night and suddenly the infotainment system screen went blank; including Braking Assist, Adaptive Cruise control, Lane assist, Emergency Braking etc including Navigation, also the HVAC shut off and EYESIGHT that controls these as well, shut off. It was suffocating in the car due to no A/C and thusf I tried to pull over a... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 6, 2023
There was about a handful of incidents in the almost 3 years that ive had this car where i am driving and suddenly the vehicle stops accelerating . the RPM shoots up and the speed stayed at 20mph. I took it to the Nissan dealership service center for a diagnostic and was told that there are no problems with my car.
Incident date: Nov 30, 2023
ABS module and HCU. Very hard to stop and kicks off cruise control all of a sudden. It was replaced 1 year ago less than 7000 miles and it went out again
Incident date: Jan 1, 2020
Although the owner's manual specifically states "When enabled, One-Pedal Driving applies in R (Reverse) and D (Drive). This feature remains enabled until manually disabled by the driver." One pedal drive does not work in reverse. Car does not creep in reverse like an ICE vehicle, but quickly lurches backward, surprising an experienced or forgetful driver and possibly endangering pedestrians walk... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2023
Caliper became stuck which produced smoke coming from tire. Had the caliper replaced. Then months later my forward collision system activated because a car in front of me stopped abruptly. After the car automatically braked to slow my car down, the brake never released and became stuck and the ABS light came on. Replace the abs sensor and two days later the brake engaged on its own while doing 60 ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2023
Vehicle began to shake, buck and emit a grinding noise while traveling on highway resulting in loss of speed control and associated fear. Check engine light appeared simultaneously. No prior indication of a problem. Managed to limp to next exit via shoulder. Had car towed to dealer as warranty was still in effect. Problem was diagnosed as fuel injector failure and repaired. Learned it is a comm... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
My van has been having increasingly frequent speed control problems. When attempting to pull out from a stop, the gas pedal will become unresponsive. Then, I will press the gas pedal harder and the vehicle will burn rubber. This happens intermittently, but at least 3-4 times a week. The most dramatic example of this happened, yesterday, while I was trying to make a left turn cross two lanes of... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2023
Transmission, radio, and automatic braking system. Transmission lags when going slow. From a stop on a hill, the car did not accelerate when the gas pedal was pushed, almost causing a crash as I merged into oncoming traffic. It felt like it did not go into gear properly or was not recognizing the gears. Dealership advised it was the design of the transmission and not something they can fix. ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2023
Vehicle was using the self driving feature of the Subaru Eyesight system. With the system engaged, the vehicle is supposed to accelerate and apply brakes accordingly as to keep a distance from the vehicle in front. Today, that system failed. The vehicle, with the Eyesight system engaged, accelerated right into the vehicle in front. There was no warning. The vehicle will be go for repair on 12/5/23... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
Winter 2022 The problem occurred after icy conditions in Texas and ABS, traction control and steering system lights came on in my Gage cluster, since then i have tried many things to fix the issue went as far as replacing the knuckle full assembly with abs speed sensor. Later I search across the internet of honda owners and noticed its a common issue and a very expensive 1, my local honda quoted $... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2021
Transmission,coolant infusion to engine Emissions, long block torqu converter failed even though i had multiple appointments to have this and the other recalls done they always canceled the appointments due to lack of parts or they were backed up in the service department. I had the majority of all (the works) oil changes done at the dealership unless they were weeks out, I complained of engine r... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2023
The incident happened at my workplace parking garage. As I slowly turned left to park in parking spot at work, I heard the engine rev and my car unexpectedly lurched forward very quickly. I stepped hard on the brake but it did not seem effective at stopping the car. I recently replaced my brakes in late August, 2023. As far as I know, before today my car was in proper working order. My vehicle is ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
ABS and traction control warning lights intermittently come on. Has been repaired twice by local dealership by replacing the two computer modules/pumps responsible for ABS system. Cruise control disengages when this happens. When this happens at highway speeds while pulling a heavy trailer in traffic it's a very dangerous situation and needs to be corrected by manufacturer.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2022
Had brake module replaced under warranty at the dealer and less than 10k miles later it’s doing the exact same thing again. Abs is not working, alarm constantly chiming while driving and abs and electronic brake malfunction lights coming on in the dash. Truck still has less than 48,000 miles on it cause I’m scared for my family’s safety so we just don’t drive it anymore. Is a shame we have... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2023
Component or system failure or malfunction: Delayed or no gear shifting. Transmission sudden downshift at low and high speeds, and failure to shift into lower or higher gear at takeoff, and/or while in motion. Safety risk: Sudden downshift at high speed caused stability and control issue at highway speed. The problem has been reproduced by owner and discussed with dealer by phone. The v... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2023
-Abnormal Reduction Gear and/or EV motor Rumble noise as identified in KIA TSB-234. The car is available for inspection. -Car not working properly/increasing the risk of stall or breakdown while driving and therefore increasing the risk of collision/accident. There is a loss of power and increased revolution noise from the reduction gear/EV motor increasing the incidence of vehicle failure dur... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
We own a 2016 Honda Fit with 52,000 miles, and the fuel gauge/speed/odometer display does not work. It completely fails in the cold. This is major safety issue since we can't read the fuel level nor see how fast or slow I'm driving. Our car is currently at the Conicelli Honda dealership. After trying to get this fix or diagnosed for years, Conicelli thinks the problem is a loose or failing solde... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Vehicle will repeatedly aggressively brake while using “Enhanced Autopilot”, posing a danger to any cars behind. Complaints given to Tesla have been unresolved.
Incident date: Nov 6, 2023
Car has a ticking sound, car has died on me multiple times. The vehicle has stopped moving regardless of pressing on accelerator and died leaving me stranded, feeling unsafe. I have been driving at 40 mph and then seem to lose power, making it to where can only go 10 to 20 mph or totally dying. I was also having issues with key fobs not working. Door would open, unlock and then not, car stalling. ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that occasionally while accelerating, at a stop, or while driving, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. While driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to 80 MPH. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes activated independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was ta... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2015) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 28, 2023
Incident date: Nov 11, 2023
While driving in the city limits around 35 miles an hour I had to stop abruptly to avoid a collision with a driver who didn’t stop at the intersection. I had to come to a complete stop for this driver. When I took my foot off of the brake and tried to drive on my car would not move. I had to shift gears put it in park and try again. I could hear the engine responding but the car wouldn’t mov... Read more
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 28, 2023
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
As I was driving home at around 45 mph, I noticed a flashing light on the dashboard. The light was instructing me to switch to 'P' to start. Additionally, there was a light indicating a plug-in, and the 'D' was flashing. I wasn't sure what was happening, but I knew something was wrong. Gradually, the acceleration slowed down, and I started to feel uneasy. I quickly pulled over to the side of the r... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2023
The 2024 whom are being sold at the same time as the 2023 GR Corollas have had improvements to both the front brake cooling with aluminum and have had the ducting reopened after the safety correction. To ensure the safety of the drivers and passengers, quality of the vehicle and its longevity. Recommend recalling all 2023 circuit editions to also adjust the from driver and passenger side brakes an... Read more
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 27, 2023
Incident date: Nov 20, 2023
When making 90° turns such as an immediate right turn or a left turn across one lane, gas pedal becomes completly unresponsive halfway through the turn for approx 3 seconds. Occurs about 1% of the time but drastic when it occurs. Almost multiple accidents have occured with oncoming traffic almost t-boning me when making left turns or being rear ended on right turns: people don't anticipate a veh... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2023
I was waiting at a red light and my truck started smoking and caught fire
Fire
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2017) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 27, 2023
Incident date: Nov 26, 2023
I purchased my Ram 3500 new, in 2018, at Nucar auto dealership in Tilton, New Hampshire. When I reached approximately 24,000 miles, my "Check ABS" and "Check Traction Control" lights activated on my dashboard and the message console. I was using cruise control at the time, which immediately deactivated. This could have caused an accident if I had been slower to react. The warning/failure was i... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
Service abs system immediately popped up on information screen, also abs and traction control lights all at the same time. This disengages cruise control and removes digital speed reading. Almost got tailgated.
Incident date: Nov 3, 2023
So many issues with the Buick. Made of glass. First I had no coolant line and I took it to be inspected before at, Baumen Ford and they said everything was fine with it. Turns out needed new coolant line, head gasket, timing cover, and switch. 5 new tires, rebuilt transmission, epc solenoid, transmission lines, rear pivot, left front wheel barring, formed band, and many many more. Currently with e... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2023
I was unable to stop my vehicle from accelerating. The brakes were engaging but my vehicle continued to build speed. Myself and my family, as well as others on the road, were all put at risk due to my vehicle not responding or failing to control speed; cruise control was not engaged. My insurance company, USAA, is currently investigating and determining total damage estimate. No warning lamps, ind... Read more
Crash
2 injured
FORD
ESCAPE HYBRID
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 27, 2023
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
The car does not accelerate from a stopped position and when driving it does not shift or allow acceleration. This is especially an issue on hills or when trying to increase speed on the highway.
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2020) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 27, 2023
Incident date: Nov 14, 2023
While merging onto a highway with a 60 mph speed limit, we got an error message that there was a propulsion system error and our speed was limited to 30 mph. Our car slowed down and could not accelerate. There was no warning before the speed was limited and no way to change course. It was Saturday night Nov. 25th and we had our one and half year old daughter in the backseat. Thank god my husband... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2023
Abs warning lights going crazy kicks cruise control off and traction control and 4x4 stop working Constantly dinging and flashing don’t know if brakes will work or not
Incident date: Nov 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle was slow to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, who were unable to identify the cause of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2023
While driving, my car slowed down and wouldn't accelerate pass 35 or 40 mph. I had to turn into a parking lot and restart the car. It drove fine, upon restarting. My OBD reader indicated DTC P200A Intake Manifold Runner. AAA informed me of KIA's notice regarding the same issue. This has happened on 4 occasions over the past weekend.
Incident date: Sep 25, 2023
ticking started in the engine, idle is rough most times, #2 cylinder misfire and does not accelerate when gas pedal is pressed. occasional cut off while driving or stopping at a light. mechanic checked codes to verify. In september of 2023 transmission was replaced by a certified shop after the same similar issues. keep dumping money into a car that i am still paying on and maintain according to ... Read more
HYUNDAI
ELANTRA GT
(2018) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 27, 2023
Incident date: Nov 26, 2023
Engine, power train, malfunction changing my speed control. No warning lights, first ticking noise from engine then knocking loud noise from engine. Noticed ticking about 4 days ago at first, today on freeway going 60-70 mph just changed to loud knocking, immediately engine warning starts to flash on dash board then speed just drops from 60-70 mph to 35 mph almost got hit by trucker and another c... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2023
My service abs light comes on and off, which makes cruise control inoperable and rear park sensors inoperable. This also makes putting into 4x4 impossible unless I turn off the truck, switch to 4x4, and start it before the sensor kicks off. I’m worried about the abs mainly. I contacted my dealer and they said it’s a common issue but the part is almost $1k and backordordered for months. How is ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 25, 2023
Without any warning electric fuel pump failed it show no signs of failing or going bad with fuel being flammable and the pump being electric aside from the risk of the car loosing power while in use the fact of it being flammable and faulty resorts to much bigger issues.
Incident date: Jul 31, 2023
After putting gas in the vehicle, the vehicle was acting sluggish. It did not want to start and after it did it wasn't going full speed. I proceeded to leave the gas station and no sooner did the vehicle started to sputter and 'died' while making a U-turn. I am afraid that this will cause in accident if not remedied. I don't understand that off the Ford Focus was having this issue why is this not... Read more
DUCATI
MULTISTRADA
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 26, 2023
Incident date: Jun 6, 2023
ABS / VSA module failure
Incident date: Jul 2, 2023
I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON THE 405 AND THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A SCREECHING HALT ON FREEWAY. I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED. THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED "FRONT CAMERA FAULT" AND :COLLISION AVOIDANCE NO AVAILABLE" ON THE DASH FOR A FEW MINUTES. NO ERROR CODES WERE FOUND IN THE COMPUTER. I ALSO HAVE "ONE PEDAL DRIVE" FAULTS THAT CAUSE THE VEHICL... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2023
The automatic braking system detection the RB system as it’s identified on the Subaru Dash heater, failure airbag deployment, all disabled repeatedly removal of the battery connections for a period of 30 minutes reset it but failure has repeated
Incident date: Nov 25, 2023
I was driving about 70mph on a highway trying to pass a semi-truck. As I signaled right blinker to merge back into the right lane, the speed reduced to 40mph without notice. I then seen a notification on the dashboard saying "Engine Power Reduced". The car would not accelerate fast enough to clear the truck therefore almost causing a collision of 2 semi-trucks and myself. I was forced to drive off... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2023
Transmission is really bad after even nissan replaced it doesn’t shift correct, the car jumps, the brakes really doesn’t do well even after they change it. The motor sound is really high. The car doesn’t speed up on the highway to go in front of the right lane, so it puts me in dangerous several times. All documents of complain since 2019 at Nissan Petaluma ,CA and now the car at Nissan auto... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2023
When accelerating the car will randomly loose all power from the engine. The electrical systems will stay on but the car RPMs will drop to zero. The accelerator will not provide acceleration when being pressed. The car has to be turned off and then turned back on for power to be restored. The check engine light, the oil light and another warning light will come on.