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: Apr 23, 2025
I was driving my car one day and as I was coming down the road the car jerked and picked up speed like on its on and I had to really stop abruptly to stop the car. I thought that was strange, I didn't have any warning lights or any indication that anything was going on I just thought it was weird, then like 2 days later as was driving the car would do this random jerk but again no lights on any in... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The primary system affected appears to be the CVT transmission. Additionally, the engine computer (ECU) and electrical system (including battery, driver-side window, and turn signals) have shown repeated failures. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
This honda cr-v had a sudden surge of acceleration while the brake pedal was pressed. The brake pedal was stepped off to put car into drive, but then the car suddenly went forward over 30 mph and crashed into a fence and tree in the driveway straight across from it about 5 feet away. The airbag did not immediately deploy, but deployed a minute later. The entire front end of the car was destroyed. ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
"On [XXX], my 2016 Hyundai Tucson (VIN [XXX] ) experienced severe engine power loss and mechanical noise under load while driving uphill, creating a dangerous safety situation. This occurred 2 days after a dealer visit (February 19, 2026) where an open KSDS Service Campaign (TSB HCE22-14-E600-TL, Issue 10D021) — directly related to engine monitoring — was left incomplete. The dealer subsequent... Read more
Incident date: Apr 27, 2021
My vehicle has has these issues since I bought them but were unaware of how to report them. I also got a recall letter about my PTU failure and Feldman Jeep in Livonia falsely reported the recall completed and it wasn’t. My car is noisy and vibrational when driving higher speeds, service 4wd messages and noise when I turn the automatic brakes off.
Incident date: Apr 27, 2021
ABS module reported to dealer in February, 2025..They said was safe to drive. Then April 2025 the module went out.-Part has been on backorder since March 2025. It was taken to Key Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Marianna in March 2025. Jeep would not steer properly, the brakes were not normal and all the warning lights on dash were on. I could not drive. .
Incident date: Jan 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a pharmacy parking lot with the hold feature engaged, the driver released the brake pedal. Immediately afterward, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward approximately 75 feet. The driver attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed to respond. The vehi... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 10, 2026
Following 2nd battery recall, acceleration, especially with the electric on, is sluggish and then suddenly electric fails and gas engine kicks in with a lurch. Electric no longer has the power it did prior to the recall and this provides uncertain acceleration for entering freeway from onramps or during other periods of needed acceleration.
Incident date: Feb 11, 2026
2013 Ford F‑150 Limited – VIN [XXX] On [XXX], my 2013 Ford F‑150 Limited experienced a sudden and dangerous transmission failure involving the transmission conductor plate (lead frame). My son was driving the vehicle when the dashboard abruptly shut off, multiple warning lights illuminated, and the truck lost engine power. Shortly afterward, while braking, the engine attempted to accelerat... Read more
POLESTAR
POLESTAR 2
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 10, 2026
Incident date: Mar 3, 2026
The contact owned a 2023 Lexus RX 350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, it suddenly accelerated without warning. While driving in a parking lot, the vehicle again surged forward approximately 20 feet. The contact was able to swerve to avoid striking a pedestrian. The vehicle became uncontrollable, and the brakes were inoperable. The vehicle ultimately crash... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that after driving into the garage and while pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, lurched forward, and crashed into the husband's workbench. During the incident, the brake pedal was forcefully pressed, but the vehicle did not immediately stop. No injuries were reported. The husband's ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while shifting from drive(D) to park(P), the vehicle continued to accelerate or reverse unintendedly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact to go to settings and choose brakes, and while parking, the parking brake engaged, but the driver needed to manually release ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2020
Date: March 9, 2026 FORMAL COMPLAINT: Safety Concern Regarding Unintended Acceleration** Vehicle Information: Year/Make/Model: 2021 Volkswagen Arteon VIN: [XXX] Purchased From: Clay Cooley Volkswagen (October 2024) To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally report a series of escalating electrical and mechanical failures regarding my 2021 Volkswagen Arteon. While the vehicle initially pr... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2025
The car only has 79 miles and the transmission is slugglisg it has a delay in it when you accelerate. and lots of 2019 Jeep Cherokee latitude plus have been recalled for the transmission. Just not my VIN number, but my car is having an exact same problem as the other 2019.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2026
One week ago, I was driving on a highway, accelerating to the 65 MPH speed limit on that road, my van's accelerator completely stopped responding. Despite pumping the pedal repeatedly, I was unable to control my speed at all, and the car continued to lose speed. I had my three children in the car at the time, and given that people regularly go in excess of 70 MPH on that road, I was in danger of n... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2025) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 9, 2026
Incident date: Dec 5, 2025
1. Component: The engine head gasket and the combustion system (specifically Cylinder 2). Specifics: A leak-down test confirmed a failure in Cylinder 2, leading to coolant intrusion. This was initially masked by a water pump code, but after the water pump was replaced and the code returned, a borescope confirmed "clean" pistons (steam-cleaned by coolant) and tap scarring. Availability: Yes, the ve... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
I can not gain speed. The dealership says it’s the catalytic converter and there is an active recall for this on Kia souls. They previously did recall work to my car but now the catalytic converters not showing as a recall
Incident date: Mar 9, 2026
On July 3rd I was driving on the highway, and the Jeep went into limp mode. When it ran out of the electric charge, it didn’t switch over to the gas engine and became un-drivable. I brought it to a Jeep service center and they kept it until July 7th. They were not able to figure out why that happened, but obviously it is part of the recall.
Incident date: Feb 11, 2026
While driving my 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor, the vehicle suddenly lost throttle response. The accelerator pedal produced no response and the engine would not rev even though the vehicle remained powered on. A battery warning light briefly illuminated at the time of the incident. I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop, but during the event the steering wheel became locked or extremely stiff and the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
3/6/26 5:50 am unintended acceleration w such force pulling car toward right side n unable to stop, jumped over side walk, then stopped, it happened very fast, very scary accident, I was in shock and shaking so bad. Wknd disrupted, couldn't sleep n reliving bad experience over n over. Bringing it to the dealer 3/9/26. no damage to anybody or third party, unknown under car damage. Didn't file a re... Read more
Incident date: Feb 26, 2026
My 2025 Honda CRV Hybrid seems to randomly accelerate on its own. This has happened at least 4 or 5 times over the past year. At first I thought I was imagining it but then I noticed it happened again, multiple times. Each time I was NOT pressing the gas pedal nor at any time was I using cruise control. I never use the cruise control. The vehicle seems to accelerate on its on for about 3-4 s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 1969
Pulled into parking space. Applied brakes and came to a complete stop. Could hear engine revving up.. Thought ok, that gas pedal seem to be pressed. Look at my foot wasn’t pressing the pedal. Looked at floor mats. It was laying flat on floor, not manipulating the pedal. I thought what’s happening? And lifted foot off brake ever so slightly and car jumped 6 inch high curb and hit the building..... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 23, 2026
The vehicle is intermittently braking on its own while driving. The issue has become significantly worse over the course of a month. The dashboard message reads, “brake applied, power reduced”. This is a danger to both myself and other drivers as we are unable to control the speed of the vehicle.
Incident date: Mar 8, 2026
I’ve been experiencing harsh shifts between 1st and 3rd. Slip shifts and delayed engagement between 5th and 8th gears. Recently I just experienced no engagement at all while accelerating from red light loss of complete power and slippage. Truck just stopped accelerating which could cause an accident. I got no warning. This is not a new problem. It’s an ongoing issue that needs to be rectified ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
This has been reported one time before but the situation has gotten worse when driving at approximately 60ish miles per hour but it starts doing it about between 50 and 70 mph when driving and the car is using the regular engine not the EV section. You will randomly lose the ability to accelerate and you have to remove your foot from the gas let the engine slow and then re-accelerate now for the s... Read more
WAYMO
5TH GENERATION ADS
(9999) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 8, 2026
Incident date: Mar 8, 2026
The gas pedal pushes itself down and makes the car uncontrollably accelerate. Braking does not stop this from happening and vehicle is not able to be stopped until the gas pedal decides it's done accelerating. This is VERY dangerous. I believe this is called ghost acceleration. It has almost caused multiple accidents.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
Description of Fault This vehicle exhibits a recurring, intermittent failure of the electronic throttle control system. Three distinct symptom patterns have been observed: 1.Throttle non-responsive at stop-start (approx. monthly/bi-monthly): After coming to a complete stop (e.g. at a traffic light), pressing the accelerator pedal produces no engine response. The vehicle will not move. Switching th... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 7, 2026
Incident date: Mar 7, 2026
Computer system keeps messing up, I’ve taken it in a couple times for the same issue and it still keeps getting worse, sending wrong signals also sometimes it revs up when driving out of nowhere and it’s dangerous
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
[XXX] nearly three minutes after dropping my kids off to school, driving near the [XXX] ! My jeep begin to accelerate, I couldn’t control the brakes or steering wheel! I became very scared as I approached a curve upon me reaching the curve, the dashboard and radio screen completely blacked out! I lose complete control of the vehicle, hit and embankment and tree! Cause injuries to my left wrist! ... Read more
Crash
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2015) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 6, 2026
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
Despite having the EGR replaced under recall the unit still exploded while driving on wed 4 Mar 2026. Fluids were leaking and had indicated issues with the electric shifter. The local dealerships states the egr cooler needs replaced, coolant tank, DPF and oil change (despite just being done the Saturday before). Refusing to acknowledge any connection to previous recall or associated damages. Cont... Read more
Incident date: Feb 27, 2026
It takes time to accelerate. The car jerks and shakes before moving
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
I was driving down the road at approximately 55 mph when all of a sudden, my truck decelerated and a warning signal displayed on my dash indicating my speed was being forcibly reduced to approximately 30 mph. Fortunately, I was on a rural road versus the interstate. I pulled over and had an OBD2 reader. The reader indicated I had a P-2138 error code from a "voltage correlation error between the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2026
Powertrain light came on and threw code p1450 and car went into limp mode. Car will stall at stops and lights and won't go over 40. Replaced the canister purge valve which turned light off but it immediately came back once trying to over 40 and went back into limp mode. Everything I have read and ai has said based on diagnostic information says it's the electronic throttle body which has a recall ... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2018) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 6, 2026
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
I had just pulled off from street light, hit button to turn auto engine shutoff off, all of sudden I lose power as if I'm in neutral, engines reving up but won't go. Then kicks in but with less power like gears will not shift. I get to my destination but car will not go in reverse.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
Loss power and system reset
Incident date: Mar 4, 2026
The instrument panel in my car went completely dark, leaving me without any knowledge of my speed. This is a massive safety risk. I am taking it to the dealership tomorrow, but there are no issues that came up when this failed, it just failed to boot correctly, and nothing I could do would bring it back.
Incident date: Jan 12, 2026
I was sold this 2024 Mazda cx30 from Ken ganley kia located in mentor Ohio (44060) the vehicle started showing major electrical issues. when they occur I have no control of the functions of anything in the cabin (infotainment, heat/air, braking system,) just to name a few. My wife and I were assured we were purchasing a good safe and reliable used vehicle. I feel this vehicle is extremely unsafe ... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2019) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 5, 2026
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
I have been in and out of the shop since May of 2025 I have a paper trail of all dates and events including the times I did go in for a recall the times I was changed whe I should have never been charged , bout 3 or 4 times . I’m on the interstate and I’m going like 74/75/76 and my speed drops on me to like a 10-15 and I try to move as quickly as possible because everyyyyy time that has happen... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE IQL
(2026) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 5, 2026
Incident date: Mar 3, 2026
When applying the brake slowly all of a sudden the car went full acceleration and crashed 500ft away at high speed. The car is crashed but available for inspection for a short period of time until the insurance company takes full posession. There are not open recalls. The only lights on the dash were for TPMS sensor.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Apr 15, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Incident date: Feb 17, 2026
In early September 2025, I leased a 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV. Unfortunately, the vehicle has already been in the dealership service department three separate times since I took delivery. The first two service visits occurred after the vehicle completely bricked and would not turn on. I was informed that the vehicle’s electronic module required updating and that the batteries had repeatedly... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2026
Since I purchased my 2022 Nissan Frontier, I have experienced recurring issues where, periodically while driving, all the indicator lights appear on the digital screen (as shown in the attached photo). When this happens, all the advanced driver assistance systems become nonfunctional, including cruise control, ABS brakes and radar detection. These incidents have occurred while driving on the highw... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
While driving northbound on US-280 freeway, the vehicle experienced sudden deceleration with maximum speed limited to approximately 40 mph. The dashboard displayed a "Check Power Supply" warning. The vehicle required a tow to the dealership. Dealer diagnosis indicates likely ICCU (Integrated Charging Control Unit) failure. This is a known issue affecting multiple Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicles, with num... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
Engine keeps making noise Check Engine light keeps on due to a part on car Take and speed is slow Car will only got up to 80 top speed
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 4, 2026
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
Powertrain/engine performance (acceleration control): vehicle struggles to accelerate when pressing the gas. Transmission / drivetrain (gear engagement / shift control): vehicle drops from Reverse into Neutral without driver input (unintended gear disengagement). Water intrusion: ongoing water intrusion, power tailgate was already replaced due to water erosion, when it rains or snows water gets in... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2025) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 4, 2026
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
Hesitation when accelerating. Has stalled while driving. Has come to a complete stop when put in reverse.
Incident date: Feb 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle failed to accelerate, and the RPM became elevated. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where a partial diagnosis was performed, and it was determined that there was a catastrophic failure in cylinder #3. The dealer i... Read more
Incident date: Feb 25, 2026
Car continues to accelerate after applying the brake. Has happened numerous times. Usually at slow speed
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
There are many warming lamps on in the car. My car won't pick up speed it in limp mode once I crank up. I have to turn it off and restart any order for it to go and pick up speed. My number 3 plug keep showing something wrong it has been replaced multiple times but still having the same issue. I had it checked out it's saying the same problem fuel. I have had my fuel pump change and still having p... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2026
On March 1, 2026, while driving at normal roadway speed on a double yellow-lined road, my 2024 Genesis GV60 Advance displayed a "Check Electric Vehicle System" warning. With less than one minute of the warning appearing, the vehicle lost propulsion and rolled to a stop. I was able to steer into a parking lot, but I was stranded miles from home. There was minimal advance warning before complete lo... Read more