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: Sep 7, 2023
The hydraulic control unit for the antilock braking system failed, causing a repeated dinging and loss of all antilock, breaking traction control, and cruise control capabilities. Dealership quotes parts are almost a year out, and I will be stuck driving the vehicle in an unsafe manner until it is repaired.
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
Steering becomes very hard to control with no slack and in the wheel and occasionally it feels like you hit ice and sliding when you change lanes, happens on dry paved road without warning. Also when using cruise control hitting button to slow down the headlights and dash lights fade out and then brighter when acceleration
Incident date: Sep 16, 2023
Every so often when I am driving on the highway, the car just looses power and I may catch a message that flashes on my display, "Emergency Braking". The event last no longer than about a second. When this phantom braking happens, so far, it has not been so severe to feel dangerous just unsettling!
Incident date: Jun 15, 2023
The car takes off late (delayed) after pushing on the gas pedal. The shifting is also not responding, for example, I placed the car in “REVERSE” gear and the car actually went forward like it was in DRIVE.
LES SCHWAB
RETREADED TIRES
(9999) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 1, 2023
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
found me driving on I 75 and I put the Cruise Control at 70 miles, instead of maintaining the speed at 70miles the vehicle accelerated to more than 90 miles per hour I had to quickly put my foot on the brake otherwise I could have an accident with the vehicle from the front, after all this happened, I felt the car was losing speed, I tried to accelerate but it did not go over 60 miles per hour. I ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2023
I keep getting warning lights for ABS problems. Saw there was recalls for the 2019-2022 and saw there was a class action law suit for the 2018 models.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 31, 2023
Incident date: Oct 31, 2023
When I am stopped at a red light, once the light turns green I go to accelerate and the vehicle stalls. The car is still on but the engine completely shuts off. The only way for the vehicle to move again is by turning the car off and then on again. It is extremely dangerous and I have almost been rear ended because of it. Another issue I am having is when I go to accelerate the car jolts and has a... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2023
The anti-lock and traction control light and service light came on shortly after purchase, this happened while towing a 10,000lb camper in the N. GA mountains. this was a challenging situation with that much weight pushing the truck and the brakes weren't working properly. After getting a code reader, I found out the HCU has been listed as a service problem. You try to find the part and there is a... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2012) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 31, 2023
Incident date: Oct 31, 2019
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufactur... Read more
Incident date: Jul 5, 2023
The clutch plate has failed on my 2018 Jeep Wrangler. I brought it into the dealer to take a look at it when I was experiencing the clutch slipping while shifting into first gear and also the "Service Auto Start Stop" indicator illuminating. Once the indicator illuminated, it also prevented by cruise control from working. After the dealer conducted troubleshooting of the issue, they told me that i... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while in the drive position, the vehicle erroneously accelerated backward and crashed into a second vehicle that was also parked in the driveway. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the vehicle was included in... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 30, 2023
While driving home from work, my wife was attempting to merge onto the on-ramp to the highway, and the vehicle jerked violently and RPM's skyrocketed but the speed was barely climbing. The speed didn't rise above 20mph until RPM's reached 4k. We had to creep all the way home with the engine whining and juddering and couldn't go above 45mph. This is extremely dangerous and the mechanics are saying ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLK350
(2014) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 31, 2023
Incident date: Oct 17, 2023
While traveling on an open highway with no obstructions, the vehicle applied the brakes very hard causing all passengers to slide forward in their seats activating the seat belt locks. All cargo became airborne and flew forward. Had a car been following, it is highly likely that we would have been rear ended.
Incident date: Sep 11, 2023
Intermittent ABS and traction control lights. Service lights come on and go off when braking or driving over bumps. Code C0020 - ABS Pump Motor Control General Electric Failure. Issue is so random I haven’t taken the truck to a service center.
Incident date: Oct 29, 2023
I AM EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE GAS PEDAL GETTING STUCK AND I HAVE TO MANUALLY BEND DOWN AND PULL IT UP WITH MY HAND. I HAVE BIN GOING BACK AND FOURTH WITH NISSAN FOR A YEAR NOW. I HAVE VIDEOS TO SHOW THE PROOF. I HAVE 2 KIDS TO DRIVE IN MY CAR. I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY IN THE CAR. I ALMOST CRASHED A FEW TIMES. I REACHED OUT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THEY ARE STATING THAT I SHOUL... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
Vehicle stops accelerating randomly and loses power. Service electronic throttle control light comes on and engine light and traction control light and vehicle will not accelerate or stalls. Had vehicle towed to dealership and the code is saying the PTU is bad and needs to be replaced. This happens all the time, thankfully I’ve been very lucky thus far not having my children in the vehicle with ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated and then decelerated. The contact also stated that the back over prevention camera was inoperable and displayed a black screen. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that she had previously experienced the failure with the... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated. As a result, the vehicle proceeded over the side curves then stalled. All the air bags deployed. No warning lights was illuminated. The contact sustained injury to his left arm that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
MERCEDES-BENZ
CLS 450
(2019) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 30, 2023
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
After coming to a complete stop at a Stop Sign with the Honda Civil, my husband (he) started to accelerate, but he could only go up to about 20 mph in a 55-mile zone. Next, the car made a bump noise when his foot was on gas pedal. The car went about 100 feet before it started to slow down on a busy highway. The car was not going the speed limit because it couldn't pick up speed. Multiple cars a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
ABS service warning and Traction control light shows intrmittently and disapears Planning to take to dealer
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
The vehicle went into limp mode while driving on the interstate but the dealership is telling me there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. They are also telling me that there is no powertrain coverage on this vehicle since I am the second owner. With as many problems as Kia has had, I think it should be across the board for coverage on these so no one else suffers irreparable damage. I’ve had the... Read more
Incident date: Sep 19, 2023
Continued failure of hydraulic control unit (HCU) and Anti-lock brake system (ABS) module causing fluctuations in brakes at times (have to press harder on brakes) and lights go on and off, sometimes staying on for lengthy periods (usually on highway) or while driving and disables the cruise control. Second time in just under 3 years (fixed in Nov 2020 and reported to dealer Sept 2023), same issue... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLK350
(2011) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 30, 2023
Incident date: Oct 30, 2023
The truck started intermittently throwing code for C0020-01 (service Antilock Brake system). I will intermittently lose ABS/Cruise/trailer brakes, and being the primary vehicle in our family, the truck has become unsafe to transport my wife and 7 months old child. I've aware the HCU/ABS module both need replaced, but some of these parts aren't available from the dealer, and it will be multiple tho... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2023
There is a cap on the mph needle that fell off and rolls around the bottom of the speedometer inside. I was riding and all the sudden a red light is illuminating which caused me to lose focus on the road wondering what happened and why this light is now on. No inspections have been made yet. No warning the cap just fell off and rolls inside of the speedometer.
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
I was pulling into a parking space at approximately 5 mph and the car unintentionally accelerated causing me to jump the curb, go over a grass median and land perpendicularly onto a one-way active road. There were trees and other items on the median I could've hit had I'd been pulling into a different parking space. I also could've hit cars on the road. I quickly got off the road and parked the c... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2019) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 28, 2023
Incident date: Mar 31, 2023
My Genesis is going to get me killed! The dealership has informed me that since it doesn't give them a code, they can't fix the issue. Here is a brief summary of my issue. On 8/2/23, while in the process of a lane change, my vehicle goes into limp mode, and I am almost rear-ended by a large Ford truck! I immediately look at the dash and see it is displaying "Park" and I switch it to "Drive". My ve... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
- Valve cover needs to be replaced - Spark plugs needs to be replaced - Power reduced message pops up probably from spark plugs - Says transmission fault probably from valve cover leaking transmission fluid - Left rear speed sensor - Turbo charger/super charger underboost - invalid data received from steering angle sensor module message popped up
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
Unintended Acceleration in a Tesla
Crash
MERCEDES-BENZ
ML450
(2010) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 27, 2023
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Transmission Fluid Pump failed, and is needing to be replaced. The car only had 200 miles on it and was bought 5 days prior before the issue began. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car immediatley reduced my speed to 30mph. I was driving on an expressway, and caused ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
WAITING IN LINE TO PICKUP PRESCRIPTION, STOPPED WITH FOOT ON BRAKE AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO CAR APPROX 15 FT IN FRONT OF ME. EYE SIGHT BRAKING DID NOT STOP CAR, NOR DID IMMINENT COLLISION WARNING ENGAGE. CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONDUCTED TEST; FOUND NOTHING. AWAITING SUBARU ENGINEER TO PULL AND CHECK "BLACK BOX".
Crash
Incident date: Oct 14, 2023
Suddenly car entry stopped working. Warning messages on display about start/stop, engine starting malfunction, every single light. I found the driver rear side full of water where the fuse panel and control modules are located. There was water soaked into the insulation at the bottom of the space as well as the insulation over the wheel well. Water drops were viewed on the controllers in that... Read more
LIONSHEAD
CASTLE ROCK
(9999) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 27, 2023
Incident date: Oct 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra GT. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power while accelerating. Additionally, while driving at approximately 65–70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal and decelerated to 45 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 27, 2023
Incident date: Oct 17, 2023
The ABS pump has failed for the second time, my vehicle has less than 80000 miles on it. The first replacement was covered under factory warranty. I have researched this issue and have found this to be a common issue and at this time the factory is not issuing a recall. Dodge/Ram is well aware of this issue and the repair should be covered as a factory defect.
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 26, 2023
Incident date: Oct 11, 2023
Service Stabilitrak & Power Steering light comes on after initial start up or in the middle of driving intermittently cause car to jolt back & forth while driving which can cause an accident if someone or car is near, could hear that car was attempting to lock & unlock doors while errors appear on dash. When changing gears a jolt and loud knock sounds occurs, now check engine light appears, this h... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking brake light illuminated, and the vehicle experienced phantom braking, causing the tires to skid and the speed to abruptly decelerate. Moments later the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking light turned off, and the vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2023
During vehicle operation, on occasion, entire vehicle instrument panel goes dark and shuts off, which includes speedometer and warning lights. Cruise control deactivates and all displays and warning indicators de-luminate. System will turn back on and flash multiple error codes before returning to normal. Sync/navigation system will also go out.
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
Whenever it rains or is high humidity, my dashboard lights up and repeatedly chimes with ABS lights and Electronic Braking System error. The error repeats itself on and off again every few seconds. It is a dangerous distraction of error messages. Since it is raining, all traction control and ABS systems deactivate themselves with this error. I spun out this morning due to the error. It is absolute... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 2023
This morning I was driving to work (65mph cruise control, 45 degrees F outside, heated seats ON), out of nowhere I felt myself slowing down right after I went over a railroad track (pretty decent bump) on the highway. As I was slowing down I noticed that my cruise control had turned itself off and when trying to turn it back on (pressing set+, set-, and the toggle CC on/off button) it wasn't respo... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
The contact owned a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her son was driving at approximately 45 mph, the check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle began to shake, lost power, and failed to accelerate. The driver pulled over and noticed smoke, and the vehicle caught fire. The fire department was on the scene and extinguished the fire. It was unknown if a police report was ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 7, 2022
Check engine light came on Friday and 24 hours later started making a whirring sound lost power on the highway started smoking and smelled like it was going to catch fire. Was impeding traffic and almost caused an accident. Had it towed to Ford dealership where a diagnostic test was run. They determined that it was engine failure and Ecoboost failure. Coolant was leaking into cylinders 2&3. They c... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
UNKNOWN. abs pump problem
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
My truck is experiencing the “hemi tick”. Upon research, this tick is a common defect in RAM trucks that was supposed to be fixed in later models. Not true. Not only do I need to pay thousands for replacing the manifold, it will be a problem again. The hot/cold engine melds the aluminum and steel, creating a warped or split manifold. To replace it is immense labor, hence costly fees, as t... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2017) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 25, 2023
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
On July 15, 23 was driving home from Dr appt n my rpm was going crazy, the engine was whining while I was driving rogue and didn't hardly move. I had it towed and mechanic said was totalled. Transmission is out. 3 mechanic said same was totalled. There needs to be recall on 2016 nissan rogue transmission!!!
Incident date: Jul 31, 2023
while i am driving my cruise control will just stop working causing the auto braking feature to stop also
MITSUBISHI
LANCER
(2009) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 24, 2023
Incident date: Oct 24, 2023
On October 13, 2023, I was driving on the highway when my 2014 GMC Terrain power was reduced. Suddenly, the engine light came on and car began throttling. Second, an error message appeared on my dashboard indicating “ engine power is reduced.” Then it stopped in the middle of the highway. I was able to restart my vehicle and drove it to a nearby mechanic shop. The mechanic said the problem wa... Read more
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 24, 2023
Incident date: Dec 15, 2022
My husband and I were driving from Cincinnati Ohio to Harrisburg, PA on Monday, Oct 16, 2023 on the highway (turnpike). At least four times the car tried to kill us by starting to slam to a stop ON THE HIGHWAY when using cruise control. Fortunately each time there were no cars immediately behind us or we would have had a major accident. We stopped and called Tesla in Mechanicsburg who consulted ... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2016) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 24, 2023
Incident date: Oct 24, 2023
ALL recalls and updates (including the NHTSA steering rebuild kit, and the fender kit) have been performed on this vehicle, yet it has a persistent issue. The vehicle stability system engages with zero warning and at any speed and road condition. This immediately restricts the RPM to 5200 maximum, or approximately 57mph on a flat, 54 on an incline, 60 on a downhill. I have nearly lost my life due ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2009) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 24, 2023
Incident date: Oct 24, 2023
The ABS control pump motor is malfunctioning causing loss of the anti lock braking, four wheel drive, and cruise control. The dealerships have no ability to get parts to repair and they have been on back order indefinitely.
Incident date: Oct 9, 2021
I am experiencing intermittent warning by dash red light, warning dings & digital warning. Check brake system. The issue seems to be increasing in frequency as the last time I used the vehicle-it dinged every few miles. I understand that the ABS & TSC systems are inactive when warning displays. I called my local dealer to have vehicle inspected/ repaired and was told to come in for diagnosis but t... Read more