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: Aug 15, 2023
UNKNOWN I fell victim to a wiretapping incident that is still under Federal investigation that began in my vehicle on June 23rd, 2023. This concern is in regard to life safety and loss of control of the vehicle on or around the same time, due to radio transmission feedback beeping coming from the passenger side speaker, as well as what sounded like an emergency response unit radio. The noise woul... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2024
While towing a roughly 13k pound camper with my family from Texas to New York and back , I lost trailer brakes, traction control , cruise control and my trailer brakes. The trip included ice, rain, snow. We had a death in the family and the trip did not include the time to take to have this problem troubleshot. Literally one of the scariest trips ever through different elevations and traction leve... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2022
While attempting to accelerate my car hesitates and slows down to about 5 miles an hour. This mostly happens in the morning, but does happen in the afternoon while attempting to accelerate to pass. This issue has almost caused me to get in accidents on several occasions. I first noticed this issue when I first purchased the vehicle. I took it in and it was kept at the dealership for a week or so... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2024
The antilock brake system warning light because it's faulty The brake system affects the speed control And they don't have reliable parts to repair
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
I was driving for approximately 30 minutes, using cruise control as needed. There was a decreased speed area so I toggled down to reduce speed from 65 to 55. My cruise control speed jumped from 65 to 110. NOTHING I did would reduce the speed. I had to turn off the cruise control to get control of my vehicle again. I thought I did something wrong so I turned on cruise control and attempted to s... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
The ABS and traction control has a fault that’s turns off the abs system. It’s been troubleshot to the HCU pump. There are several ram trucks with this issue. Fault code is. C0020-01 ABS pump motor control
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
The speedometer stopped working - no numbers were visible on my dash. It was unsafe as I was not aware what speed I was traveling. This happened on December 24, 2023 and has not happened again after that nor was it reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone. There were no warning lamps/messages/or anything.
Incident date: Nov 25, 2022
Breakes not wanting to stop, the petal gets stuck as well and when you fill it up gas fumes come in the vechile that caused me headaches and Nauseous. I reported it to Firestone who seemed to think it wasn't a problem several times, also reported to dealership i could of hit someone or someone hit me . I got two tickes by traffic recorder back to backn 1) petal getting stuck 2) Accelerating becaus... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2023
Over the last year my 2015 Nissan Sentra has been having problems of judder (shake and shudder), hesitation on acceleration, lack of power and RPM flare. It happens when I am driving highway speed and when going uphill on the highway as well. I went to Firestone to get a diagnostic check and came out with the code of p17f4. I was surprised given that no check engine light has turned on. I will... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
Transmission. It slips and jumps gears, lags, doesn't engage from a stop for a few seconds, downshifts itself while driving down the highway, at parking lot speeds the engine will rev up and lurch forward. It has been inspected by a local dealership and confirmed that there is an internal problem and recommended new transmission for $7500. They have been in contact with Ford Co, as have I, making... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
Constantly throwing ABS code and electronic braking system code, and then, turning off the alerts on dashboard. Many complaints of 2018 models were found online and a class action lawsuit.
Incident date: Jan 9, 2024
The contact owned a 2012 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at 35-75 MPH, the transmission failed to shift gear as needed. In addition, the RPMs decreased. The contact also stated that the vehicle accelerated independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the tr... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
* My driving side front wheel climbed a small bump with a rock. I put my car on reverse and pressed the accelerator. The car first refused to reverse then went completely out of control. The engine produced a huge revving noise and the car accelerated, taking the car backward at high speed. I had no control. The car went off the road, climbed a hill at a 45 degree incline on one side of the road.... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
I'm not sure what components malfunctioned but my vehicle is in a body shop currently getting work done from the accident I was recently in. The safety of my cousin and I was put into risk when I was driving on the highway and I hydroplaned on the highway and did a 180 degree turn but luckily no one hit me and I didn't hit anyone else. I slammed on the concrete median which is what stopped my vehi... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 12, 2023
I've experienced stop and stall issues with my vehicle three times and the Acura dealership said they couldn't locate but kept my vehicle for a few days and said it was the battery. I have a new battery but same issue occurred two more times. There is definitely an electrical problem with this vehicle's system. The radio randomly stops working, no sound or buttons stop at any given time and also h... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
The contact owned a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at 5 mph and exiting a parking lot when the vehicle accelerated on its own, veered to the left, and crashed into a gate. No warning lights were illuminated and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injury to the right shoulder, right foot, and right hand, but did not seek medical attention. No police rep... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
PROBLEMS & FAILURES include: 1. Repeated battery failures, towed over 12 times since car was purchased in 2017. Left [XXX] and [XXX] stranded and/or stranded in the dark on more than once occasion. Repeated (6+ attempts) to repair and/or replace the battery (local Subaru dealership) with no success- DRIVER SAFETY RISK. Two ADULTS (seniors) should not be repeatedly stranded in the middle of ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
I was driving on the Interstate had car on cruise control set at 70mph it began to slow to 60mph because of a vehicle in front of me so I moved to the left lane to go around and the vehicle just speed up (G5 force) on its own very quickly and reached speeds up to 80mph and would have kept accelerating past 80mph had I not disengaged the cruise control instead of braking. The second issue we have f... Read more
ALFA ROMEO
GIULIA
(2018) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 11, 2024
Incident date: Aug 9, 2023
When I pulled into a parking spot in a parking lot, the car seemed to go faster than I intended. I swiped a car next to me, which to me as it was not a tight space. I immediately, turned off the engine and dealt with the passenger of the other vehicle, exchanging information. After sometime, I got back in my car to move it to another location. As soon as the motor was running in reverse, in bega... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds and making a turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated unintendedly. Then the vehicle resumed driving normally. While her husband was driving at unknown speeds and approaching a stop, he crashed into an unknown Tesla. There were no reported injuries. A police report was not filed. There was no fire or air b... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
My car displayed "reduced engine power" and slowed down on the highway while I was doing 65mph. My car would not accelerate past 20mph. There were no issues with my vehicle, and this happened out of nowhere. It caused a lot of other drivers to have to swerve around me, and drastically reduce their speeds as well in order to avoid collision. This was highly unsafe and now I can not safely drive my ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
The wrench light on the dashboard comes on I loose all speedometer readings and mpg. The transmission will not go ro 6th gear or down shift past third gear the transmission also jerks and rpms go up really high. This occurs going down the interstate or anywhere really if I turn the truck of and restart it the warnings will go away but later come back
MITSUBISHI
LANCER
(2017) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 11, 2024
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOWER SPEED. THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP WHICH WAS VERY ALARMING. I HAD TO HIT THE BRAKE TO CAUSE IT TO SLOW DOWN. IT HAPPENED ONCE DURING A 4 MILE TRIP. MY SPOUSE HAD REPORTED A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE EARLIER IN THE EVENING. ALSO MANY FUNCTIONS LIKE PARK ASSIST, TRACTION CONTROL ETC SEEMED TO BE AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGING
Incident date: Dec 13, 2023
The problem first arose in June 2023. I was driving and suddenly, all the dashboard lights went on and the brakes stopped working. There was no pressure on the pedal. I was able to roll to a stop without incident. I turned the car off and back on again and the brakes worked but the check engine light was still on. I was able to limp the mile back to my house. After almost 6 weeks at the dealer, I ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
The problem first arose in June 2023 with a different car, 2022 CT4V VIN [XXX] . I was driving and suddenly, all the dashboard lights went on and the brakes stopped working. There was no pressure on the pedal. I was able to roll to a stop without incident. I turned the car off and back on again and the brakes worked but the check engine light was still on. I was able to limp the mile back to ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
While we were driving home (3 people in my car), with no notice, my car lost complete acceleration and broke down while we were on the highway. We hardly had notice to understand what was happening, let alone the other cars/people behind us on the highway where we almost got hit before being able to pull over to the side of the highway. We then had to wait for a tow-truck, again, on the shoulder o... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
This vehicle has numerous software problems. The biggest one is hat there is no roll away prevention. If the car is placed in reverse, and stars moving, if no other imputs are given by the driver the car will continue to roll. Als, if the drivers door is opened during this manuver, the roll continues. This is also true if the car is in drive and at a stop on a hill. If the brake is released th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
I was driving myself and two passengers on a highway at night in the rain. I was using the adaptive cruise control and was maintaining speed when i went through a puddle and I think the car hydroplaned a little. A warning sign flashed up on the dash that said something towards "deactivating cruise control" - i am not sure of the exact warning. I've had a warning similar, im not sure if its the exa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
In middle of driving, the vehicle suddenly shifts out of gear and won’t accelerate, multiple warning lights appear in dash all at the same time and car at times the vehicle won’t even turn off
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
In this vehicle the instrument panel is an electronic display. This display did not show any controls, speedometer, mileage, warning lights, etc. It was black, with only the backlight on. This morning (Jan 10) on my way to work I noticed my instrument panel was not working. The screen was completely black instead of displaying the normal information (charge level, speed, etc).
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Report #1 - My grandma brought this 08' Explorer back in 2014, and after she passed, my mom drove it for the next 2 years. It started having general maintenance issues, then the cats were stolen, but then, one night my mother was coming home from a relative's house, when she was trying to keep up with the flow of traffic on [XXX] , and she noticed that the vehicle was not accelerating at all and t... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2023
vsa modulator in the honda accords go bad, SPECIALLY the 2013-2017 Model Years. There are so many bulltins etc on the internet if you look it up youd see ,millions of people are having the same issue. This affets braking & traction. Traction control is no longer useable and the ABS System does not work since this is all apart of the ABS system. search honda accord vsa modulator recall 2016 honda a... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
Several things have happened multiple times now. While driving on an interstate the truck suddenly lost power then from 70 mph dropped almost immediately to 30-35 which almost caused the vehicles behind me to slam into me. Another time the auto stop came on waiting at a red light then when the light turned green the truck threw all alerts on the dash and died. Now I was parking and the esc control... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 9, 2024
Incident date: Aug 30, 2022
When driving, if the accelerator pedal is depressed to merge into the highway or overtake other vehicles, the vehicle abruptly stops accelerating, and the RPM reaches max revs. The vehicle quickly loses momentum until it abruptly slams back into gear, causing a loud bang and startling the driver. This vehicle had a TSB for similar issues that was repaired by our dealer 2 times previously. We ha... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2023
I brought my 2023 Volkswagen id.4 Pro S EV to the Volkswagen dealer where the vehicle was purchased new earlier this year. This service visit was for the routine 10,000 mile inspection. Upon leaving the appointment, I drove out of the exit driveway of the dealership and made a left turn across a 5 lane road. Shortly after pulling out into the road (at approximately 15-20mph driving in "B" regenera... Read more
Incident date: Dec 25, 2023
[XXX] on my way to pick up kids from school in Dallas and take them home. I was driving about 65 mph trying to accelerate to pass an 18 wheeler, to exit. As I press on the gas there was no acceleration. All l hear is motor revving as if I’m in neutral, it feels like it slipped the gears resulting in the inability to speed up. At this point, I’m in front of the 18 wheeler, which is coming up o... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2024
Radio not turning on at all
Incident date: Dec 15, 2022
The battery in our van weakened and needed to be replaced. Upon replacement with brand new battery, a ton of new warnings began. These included problems with: Adaptive cruise control; lane assist; collision avoidance; auto high beam, and maybe another. Doing some research online, I found that many other Odyssey owners experienced similar issues associated with battery replacement. Local Honda... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
ABS Module and traction control do not work. Cruise control does not work. The ABS and traction control continually blink on and off. Was told that there is no replacement part for the ABS module and that is it unavailable indefinitely.
Incident date: Jan 6, 2024
ABS Brake system failure. Multiple reports of ‘17-‘18 yr models with exact problems.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
ABS, Electronic control system malfunction. Constantly failing causing safety to driving.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2022
Vehicle has hard jerking when increasing speeds. Vehicle takes several seconds to gain power from being stopped at red light and shifts very hard. Sometimes feels like gear slips into neutral and loses power after accelerating slowing. Takes several seconds to recognize being in reverse and jerks hard when it gets going. Started at around 37,000 miles and getting worse at 45,000. Been told severa... Read more
FORD
ESCAPE HYBRID
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 9, 2024
Incident date: Feb 6, 2023
-What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Forward collision warning and accelerator pedal How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Traffic travelling at 45+ mph had to change lanes to avoid rear ending me after I pulled out onto the frontage roads from a stop and the accelerator pedal stopped responding (rpms went to idle... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2024
When driving in a parking lot, due to the design of the cruise control set switch, it is very easy to unintentionally set the adaptive cruise control. Specifically, when maneuvering in a parking lot at low speeds (below 5mph) and allowing the wheel to return to center by spinning in your hands, the cruise control switch which is a dial/lever that sticks out beyond the surface of the wheel, catches... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2023
In tighter corners the car coasts/brakes unnecessarily while cruise is on. Seems like a safety feature possibly or a malfunction as I haven't had that on any other cruise controls on other vehicles. Then after the corner it accelerates. I find very annoying. If this is considered a safety feature then ok but it is way to sensitive currently and needs an update.
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
The cruise control has been braking for no apparent reason, putting myself and the people behind me at risk. It also tried to stop at multiple green lights rather than continue driving. The his also outs me, my passengers and people behind me at risk. There were no warnings about this behavior. I have the latest update and will also contact Tesla about the issue.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
I was driving on a road when the car suddenly accelerated for no apparent reason. I hit the brake and nothing happened. When the car accelerated, it was like when you hit resume when you have cruise control on. I did not have cruise control on. To avoid hitting a vehicle in front of me, I went off the road to the right, hit a chain link fence and stopped in a field. The car was declared a tot... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
seems like this is an on going issue honda safety systems failing around 30k miles. loss of all systems VSA, RMS, ACC, CMS. prior to all loss, the system would out of the blue activate when there was no cause. system will not reset and all dash warnings are on all started when the front right wheel might have had a slip issue going through a puddle of water. with the large amounts of failures, hon... Read more
FORD
ESCAPE HYBRID
(2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 8, 2024
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
On 1/3/2024 the car was at a low speed - once when parking and once stopping at an intersection - when it suddenly accelerated without the accelerator being touched. The only way that the car stopped was that I was able to shift it into neutral. According to online forums, this has been a known issue with several Kia and Hyundai models.
Incident date: Dec 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate forward before coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions but no cause for the failure was found. The contact was informed that the vehicle operated normally due to the hybrid system. The manufacturer was not contacted. The... Read more