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: Nov 23, 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
Incident date: Oct 5, 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.
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2021) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 27, 2023
Incident date: Nov 21, 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 22, 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 18, 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: Nov 13, 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
Incident date: Nov 20, 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 24, 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: Jun 15, 2019
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
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2013) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 26, 2023
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
ABS / VSA module failure
Incident date: Nov 5, 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: Nov 25, 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 6, 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: Oct 19, 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: Aug 1, 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.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
I was driving north on I-5 in Northern California when the car braked twice for no apparent reason. I was using the traffic aware cruise control. The first time the car was on a slight curve to the left and there was traffic in the right lane. About two hours later I was on a straightaway with no nearby traffic.
Incident date: Nov 21, 2023
I experienced a sudden unintended acceleration while parking the car in my home garage, something I have done thousands of times with no difficulty. I had this brand new car for a 12 days before it smashed through my garage wall. My garage is a fairly tight fit, so as I always do, I partially entered the garage and stopped to make sure that the side mirrors were going to clear the garage entrance... Read more
Crash
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY SPORT
(2018) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 23, 2023
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
Phantom braking occurred while traveling eastbound from Austin to Houston on US 290. Vehicle was traveling 76mph and slowed to quickly to 55 mph for no reason. There was a highway overpass about 75 yards away which may have triggered it, but no vehicles around us. Scared my wife and kids!!!
Incident date: Nov 20, 2023
Systems failed. Recalls incomplete
Incident date: Nov 6, 2023
I have experienced this issue 4 or 5 separate times. The issue seems to occur while driving over rough, uneven/bumpy roads. While driving over a bumpy road either with foot off of both pedals and regenerative braking engaged OR with foot on the brake pedal and actively/physically braking, suddenly and without warning the brake disengages and the car lurches forward with such force as to snap m... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
UNKNOWN Was driving while decelerating when engine stuttered and emergency brake light came on. The car then stalled and would not restart until 3rd try. This is the second time this incident has happened.
Incident date: Jul 4, 2021
While driving the vehicle it will slow automatically as if there is something in front of the vehicle when there is nothing there. It has happened twice on the highway at highway speeds causing driver to take action. While driving the vehicle, the emergency brake automatically set itself while in drive. Electrical accessory issue with radio; cutting out and losing signal, unable to control volume ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V589000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control) and the recall repair was completed by a dealer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH with the cruise control activated, she momentarily disengaged the cruise control to slow for traffic. The contact stated that when the c... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2023
Respected Authorities, We bought Tesla Model Y in May of 2023 with our hard earned money, and next day or so we noticed a big paint mark on this brand new car.. Upon following up few times, Tesla agreed to repair this but they damaged further and after repeated visits, they agreed to replace the seat cover.. However, while replacing the cover, they damaged the side door coverings. Again after lot... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
Issue where multiple dashboard indicator lights coming on. Tire Pressure, ABS, Power Steering, and Traction Control lights specifically all on at the same time. Car typically drives fine but will intermittently not want to accelerate and/or brakes are trying to apply themselves while trying to accelerate. This is a dangerous safety issue as I could be driving on the highway the car all of sudden w... Read more
YOKOHAMA
GEOLANDAR G91A
(9999) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 22, 2023
Incident date: Aug 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the tailpipe. While driving, the vehicle was slow to respond. Additionally, the contact’s son, who is a mechanic, informed her that there was water entering the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the vehicle was built with... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2023
Received error code P2682, a faulty Thermo Control Valve. This happened on 11/17/2023. Car potentially could have quit running in traffic. Subaru has identified the issue with TSB 09-80-21R. They have changed the design of the valve due to the many failures. My car has 74,000 miles. My brother in law has the same vehicle with 57,000, and his car is in the shop today for the same issue. The servi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2023
My 2018 Dodge Ram with 7175 miles on it has a continuous service anti lock brake and service electric brake light go on and off.Cruise control inoperable as it shuts off when the warning lights go on and off.Dealer did a $160.00 diagnostic on the system that I had to pay for only to tell me the hydraulic control unit needs to be replaced at a total cost of $825.00 that I am responsible for.Additio... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2023
Vehicle has abrupt, unexpected power failures and/or issues with "Stabilitrak" that causes immediate engine shut-off at highway speeds and/or causes the steering wheel to jerk unexpectedly potentially causing a run-in with traffic
Incident date: Nov 14, 2023
I was going approximately 60 mph on MN Highway 100 S in the far right lane, driving with a half full tank of gas and <1% battery in “hybrid” mode, when suddenly and error message saying “service charging system” error appeared in red on the driver console and all engine acceleration stopped working. The vehicle then displayed a message to shift to P to start the engine. But it wouldn’t l... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
My car started jumping while driving we had put oil in my car 3 weeks prior. It also smelt like my car was burning while the heat was on I had 2 babies in the back seat and I was scared to death. I haven’t received anything in the mail about any recalls what so ever. I had to hear by a family friend the day of the incident that he thinks they’re recalls on my call so I looked it up. My car is ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 28, 2022
The throttle and accelerator pedal is very HOT- highly sensitive, resulting in jerky lunging upon start off in 1st gear from a dead or 1 mph stop. The vehicle has been into the dealer 2 times for this issue with the same repair comments, vehicle meets all factory specs and all XT 4 react this way- well that's not safe. If that's the case, then this is a design defect which is unsafe as the acceler... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
While using cruise control and traveling at a speed of approximately 70 miles per hour on the highway, my car accelerated on its own and ai had I had to hit the brakes. I was thankfully able to slow it down, to which the entire car shuts down. The vehicle completely shut off and would not start. I had to have it towed to Jeep and they told me it was not one, but BOTH fuel pumps had failed. They ch... Read more
Incident date: Dec 21, 2020
Since I have owned this vehicle (bought used with 68,000 miles) it has had an issue that over 10 mechanics have not yet solved. It has slowly escalated to the point it is now unable to be driven at 250,000 miles. It is an idle issue, the car started revving up to around 3,000 rpm’s (on hot days it seemed but it also started to happen in the winter ) whenever I would put the car into park after d... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2023
The Hydraulic control unit has failed. It has been taken to a mechanic and diagnosed. The electronic part has been replaced per my warranty info and mechanic recommendation and it is still failed, meaning the main HCU is the issue. The cruise control will shut off automatically and the ABS and traction control do not work while in fault. While towing a trailer up an on ramp, the HCU went into faul... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2017) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 21, 2023
Incident date: Nov 20, 2023
Brake, ABS and traction control lights all came on and according to Dodge Dealer the cause is the ABS ECU control module and /or ABS hydraulic system. Dodge indicated ECU Control Module is on backorder pending engineering review so it does not make sense to replace only the hydraulic unit without replacing the ECU Module., They say it is safe to drive, however ABS, traction control, and cruise con... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2016) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 21, 2023
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while attempting to park at 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed however the vehicle accelerated independently. As a result, the contact crashed into the two parked vehicles on the side of the parking space she was attempting to park. No air bags were deployed. One parked vehicle had an occupant and the other was unoccupied. There were... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 18, 2023
Engine stopped smoking no power turbo out motor blown truck is junk since we bought it .
Incident date: Oct 24, 2023
This vehicle decelerates or loses power while driving . This has happened 3x. Also vehicle is lag in accelerating from take off, my fear of getting t-boned if it stalls Most recent date below. Has been taken to dealer numerous times
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2015) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 20, 2023
Incident date: Jun 9, 2022
The ABS and HCU are bad in my vehicle. It appears to be a widespread issue with this year model. A recall should be issued by the manufacturer to correct this safety issue. I recently collided with a barrier wall because my ABS system was not functional.
Crash
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER HYBRID
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 20, 2023
Incident date: Sep 16, 2023
An electrical issue of uncertain origin involving the stabilitrack system that causes the truck to jerk a different direction or stop completely in unexpected fashion
Incident date: Nov 14, 2023
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? I believed the spark plug or the condense coil has an issue with my vehicle. The engine lose power at stop when I stepped on the accelerate pedal the car takes about 2 seconds idling then speed up suddenly. I am not a mechanic. Therefore, I am not so sure. It's available for inspection. How was you... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2023
Car keeps malfunctioning the airbag light won’t cut off it keeps picking up speed after i use cruise control it’s jerking .
Incident date: Nov 19, 2023
while driving my car lost power and slowed on its own from 65 mph down to 45 mph. i had to power/acceleration and all the dashboard codes lit up and the infotainment system had an error messsage. i was force to pull over on the freeway and restart the car to get power to it. this is the 2nd time this happened within 2500 miles of the new vehicle.
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 19, 2023
Incident date: Jul 29, 2022
11/19/2023 - About 8 pm. on November 17, 2023, I was parking at my condo parking lot and slowly drove the car into the parking space when all of a sudden the car accelerated on its own. I immediately pressed on the brake pedal and it stopped. I felt fortunate that nobody was on the sidewalk. The same thing happened about a month ago but I thought it was just something unusual but now that it hap... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER VELAR
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 19, 2023
Incident date: Nov 14, 2023
I was at a stoplight on 11/16/23; when it was my turn to go (green light) I went to accelerate, and my engine seemed to sputter/choke or misfire before accelerating at a slower than normal rate and then the engine light came on -flashing- and then the traction control/VSA system indicator light came on my dashboard. I was able to make it home, but when we googled the symptoms: Rough idling Lack ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2023
On the highway I set my cruise control. It registers as the max speed on the tesla screen. Regularly the max speed changes very suddenly and the vehicle brakes. For my most recent trip drove on the highway and this happened 3 times. The max speed changed from 78 mph (the speed I set it at) to 40 mph. Another time it changed to 45 mph and a third time to 55 mph. Sometimes there are cars directly be... Read more