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: Mar 29, 2023
The adaptive cruise control (Autopilot) suddenly applied the brakes while I was traveling about 70 MPH on a major interstate highway. There was no reason for the sudden and rapid braking. No obstacles of any kind. I suspect the Autopilot was confused with the shade of the road from asphalt to concrete as I approached a small bridge. Software version on the vehicle is 2023.38.6.
Incident date: May 9, 2017
On the outlanders speed control sensor on the back hubs the lil ears that hold the sensor in place have broken off both sides of my car there's is no way to replace them makeing my car shift different drive funny and it's just about made me wreck a few times and cause when they pop out the car downshift and the engine reves at 9000 rpm and now I have a tick in my engine but i have had to try and ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
My Ioniq6 slowed down to 20 mph for the second time tonight. No matter how hard I pressed on the accelerator the car would not speed up past 20 mph. A message on the dashboard said “Limit: 20 mph”. Eventually the car picked up speed then said “Limit: 43 mph”. (The speed limit on University Blvd at this point was 35 mph). I did not test that, as I was almost home. This happened around ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2023
My ABS and Traction Control components in my 2018 1-ton Ram are intermittently setting codes with the ECU, leading to loss of ABS, Traction Control, and inability to use my cruise control. I am concerned that I have a loss in braking performance without those components operating as designed. I have brought my truck to the local Ram dealer only to be told that the module will not be available for ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2023
My car has had a problem with TACC since the day I bought it. Brakes aggressively in what should be a normal driving situation. For instance, when I pass a semi truck on the interstate with my own lane in front of me, the car will slam on the brakes when it is beside the truck. Highly likely to cause a rear end collision.
Incident date: Nov 18, 2023
This started in May 2023, warning lights "Service Electronic Braking System", "Service Anti-Lock Brakes". It is an intermittent issue, cannot duplicate. Appears at random, with Cruise control on,, if the issue message appears the cruise control disables. This can go on for several minutes, then all of a sudden stop. Could resume minutes later. Again Random. Don't rely on your anti-lock brake... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
This is the 4th time it's happened and also the 2nd time iv almost been killed!! I have a 2014 ram 1500 which iv grown to love. Iv have alot of issues but never complained and just took care of ... yet the gauge cluster display decides to go into a party mode (strobing) and flickering or just flat out going black!!! I have bad eyes and twice now within 2 months driving at night iv gone off the roa... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 11, 2023
Transmission programming recall, clutch recall, fuel cap recall and many more recalls were not performed at ford dealership! Had to pay out of pocket at dealer for “labor” task was never performed at dealer for all recalls!
Incident date: Nov 10, 2023
The contact owns a 1994 Ford F-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distributio... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2023
On October 24, between 8:45 and 9:05 am, I was traveling on the highway with cruise control on and the car suddenly braked going from 75 to 30 rapidly. It was only me pressing the accelerator that kept it from coming to a complete stop. Fortunately, there was no one close behind. There wasn’t any traffic around me. I was passing an exit. I reported this to Tesla and they remotely investigated bu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2023
The vehicle will not accelerate, seems to be a problem with the transmission
Incident date: Sep 22, 2022
I was stopped at a major intersection (very busy) at a red light when my car quit. I tried to restart the car but nothing happened. I was at the bottom of a hill, which has a turn not long before you reach this intersection, the speed limit is 45 mph but its normal for cars to average 50-60 mph. I put my flashers on and called AAA. Cars were piling up behind me trying to get in the other la... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
UNKNOWN: ABS INOPERATIVE Light, Traction Control INOPERATIVE Light, Hill Assist Unavailable Message, Cruise Control unavailable. I have also reported this under the Ford F53 Chassis, since I have found that many different makes and models of gas engined motorhomes built on the Ford F53 Chassis have the same issue that has been unrepairable for several years.
Incident date: Nov 14, 2023
UNKNOWN issue causes safety features Anti-Lock Brake System, Traction Control, and braking feature Hill Start assist to be inoperable. In addition, cruise control system is inoperable.
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
The ABS module/HCU is faulty just like thousands of others who are reporting this same issue. Tested with an expensive scan tool by a certified mechanic AND the local dodge dealership in Greenwood SC. Dealership doesn't have the parts to fix it and can't tell me when parts will be available. The warning lights on the dash come and go but are on 75% of the time. This is EXTREMELY dangerous be... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2018
Abs pump failure intermittent loss of braking system and traction
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
When going into curves on interstate, car thinks its gonna hit something and slams on the brakes when cruise control is engages. When passing a semi (semi slow lane, passing in passing lane), vehicle detects something in front of it and slams on the brakes. Does this on straight stretches. Slows down extremely fast to mabye 40 mph, then floors it once it thinks the "obstacle" has disappeared an... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
I was driving down the highway coming up on a traffic jam put on the brakes and several warning. Lights came on the dash and my power brakes failed. I was barely able to stop the car without hitting someone. From that point forward the brakes did not work properly, the regenerative braking system did not function. also, the cruise control stopped functioning. I took the car to the Lexus dealer, ... Read more
GEOLANDAR
YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR H/T -S
(9999) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 16, 2023
Incident date: Sep 15, 2023
Driving interstate right lane cruise control set at 73 mph. Car in front of me proceeded to leave lane to the left in order to pass 18 wheeler in front of it. Noticed my car felt different at that time and looked at dashboard to see cruise control now set to 110 mph and speed almost 90 mph. Documented with photo. Disabled cruise with breaking. Shared this on Tucson forums Reddit and Hyundai Forums... Read more
Incident date: Jul 18, 2023
On September 23rd our vehicles cruise control stopped working. We submitted a service request to Tesla and they scheduled a service appt for October 16th. They later cancelled this appt saying that it is a known firmware issue that would be corrected in a future, undetermined, firmware update. On November 16th we took the car to a Tesla service center and they confirmed it is a firmware issue, but... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle was slow to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF SPORTWAGEN
(2015) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 16, 2023
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that a "shift to park turn the vehicle off" message was displayed while the vehicle was in the park position. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled. The steering wheel was tight. After slowing down, the driver depressed the start/stop button, and the vehicle shut off and restarted. The vehicle was randomly shut down. After... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 18, 2023
While driving, most of the dash errors lights lit up- alerting me that the Eyesight Warning, RAB ( Reverse Auto Braking) and other safety functions were disabled. The Check Engine light was on and a flashing S next to it. Cold Engine light was illuminated as well. Dealer diagnosed with a faulty Thermal Control Valve, which somehow disabled all safety features. This is a common failure of Subarus... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2023
The car is difficult to accelerate and makes a loud hum over 50. It wont shift into reverse. It is confirmed that it is a transmission issue and the whole thing has to be replaced. I found on a mechanic's site that there is an open recall S34 however my VIN is not included despite the fact that my car has the same issue as the recall. The clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Infiniti JX35. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The ABS system was activated. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH the vehicle independently accelerated to 60 MPH. The vehicle was jerking while the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The contact was able to pull over. The contact called the local dealer b... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to immediately respond before abruptly accelerating forward. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure and unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired... Read more
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 15, 2023
Incident date: Nov 10, 2023
I was already situated in the left turn lane on a two way city street, slowing down, and about to come to a full stop before making a U turn when I felt a surge in power before the car picked up, accelerated uncontrollably, and launched forward. In front of the turn is a raised cemented median strip divider where the car hit and went on top of it. Instinctively, I just held on to the steering whee... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2023
The stabilizer/traction control keeps going off and it will stay off.i can turn,hit a bump or start it up and the traction control/stabilizer system is off.i almost had a accident on the freeway in the rain because it turned off out of nowhere and I almost lost control
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
When driving sometimes, the ABS light is illuminated along with the traction control and Stabilitrak lights. The DIC says Service Traction Control and Stabilitrak. This issue needs to be fixed immediately as this is a safety issue.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Please see uploaded document for full description.
FORD
ESCAPE HYBRID
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 15, 2023
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
The vehicle was driving on cruise control at 55 mph approaching an intersection with a stop sign. Attempted to brake to cancel the cruise control, but vehicle sped and continued gathering speed so that the driver lost any control over the speed. Frantic application of the brake did not have any effect on the speed. The vehicle shot across a south bound highway, collided with traffic signs in the... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
There is an issue with the instrument gauge cluster upon ignition start-up. The digital gauge cluster screen suddenly turns off and restarts after a full minute of turning on the car's ignition. After an automatic software restart of the gauge cluster and driving on the highway through Northbound Mopac Loop 1 in Austin, the cluster shows a frozen black background with the blue normal drive mode. T... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, and then stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times and she was able to avoid having an accident. The contact stated that the power steering also became inoperable, and the steering column seized. The vehicle was not d... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
Brakes are not stopping in time they are continuously scrubbing I have changed brakes and rotors and they are continuously scrubbing and not allowing me to stop in time nearly almost ran off the road I have got my brakes inspected but mechanic say there was nothing wrong the place I took it to but there is something wrong with the brakes. There is a electrical problem when it rains things stopped ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
Anti-Lock Braking system and Electronic Braking system, service system warning come on and off randomly all the time. Seems to happen when bumpy roads are encountered.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
There are significant idle issues (rpm’s shoot up & drop down irregularly while in park) and the car shut off while in park following irregular rpm movement, but was not exhibiting this behavior while previously parked elsewhere. I sent it in to be checked but nothing could be reproduced. A few weeks later the car began doing what felt like engine braking (in a manual vehicle) while I was lettin... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
As I accelerated the car, the car suddenly slowed down. As I accelerated it would barely move no matter how hard I pushed the accelerator. The was a major safety risk because cars were behind me and if I was on a highway, someone could easily slam into my back. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanic. There was no warning on the dash.
Incident date: Mar 14, 2023
Part# 68295368AC ABS control module failed about 3 months ago. Took to dealership to repair and they said no eta on when part will arrive and that there is a national shortage on the part and 100's of these are waiting to come in for repairs. Contact Dodge/Ram and basically told the same thing. Was told to just be careful and when part is available (no estimated ETA), they would let me know. T... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2023
During normal operation the ABS, Traction control and electronic braking system warning lights came on. Now when i am driving the Service electronic braking system lights will come on and off intermittently. Some times if i hit a bump it will come on briefly. My cruise control does not work and from what I've read my 4 wheel drive may not work. I live in the snow belt and use this truck as primary... Read more
MAZDA
MX-5 MIATA
(1994) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 14, 2023
Incident date: May 1, 2010
The speedometer does not report the correct speed the truck is going It is off and the faster you go the more it is off. The dealership service manager tried to get it fixed twice and Ford engineering said that’s normal.
Incident date: Nov 3, 2023
failed torque converter/software results in car surging during moderate acceleration. This is unsafe when vehicle will not accelerate properly under load. The problem was repaired by the dealer who indicated this issue to be a widespread problem with this car. There were no warning messages.
Incident date: Nov 3, 2023
ABS and Electric Brake System warning lights are on and off intermittently. These symptoms have been reported by many other owners due to defected part installation from the manufactor based on my internet research.
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
Transmission failed on the freeway December 2021. I was suddenly unable to speed up or accelerate my car. Placed me, my passengers and other people on the freeway at serious risk. Many cars braked suddenly behind me and swerved out the way to prevent a car accident. Dealer at the service center denied a problem and was inspected by them. No warming lamps or messages.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and extended to the floor while depressed. Additionally, the engine started to rev before the vehicle momentarily experienced unintended acceleration. The contact stated that the failure occurred for approximately 25 seconds before the brake pedal and engine operated n... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
While normal driving of my 2018 Ram 2500, I began to get random audible warnings, service anti-lock brake and service traction control system dash lights. The lights would flicker on and off and warning chime would 'bing" numerous times. This caused the cruise control to shut off while doing 65mph. Some drives I would get nothing, others would be a solid 5 minutes of flashing and chiming. Scan too... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2023
The clutch/flywheel/ and or other components of the drive train/engine/transmission connection are faulty and are known to fail for the 2007-2009 Shelby Ford Mustang GT 500 as documented in the numerous Ford Technical Service Bullitens (TSB). This vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Late this summer (2023), I was driving this vehicle with my kids in the car and attempting to merge ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
My ABS light and Vehicle Stability Assist/Traction Control light came on. I now do not have the ability to use my cruise control. I believe the vehicle is unsafe.
Incident date: Nov 13, 2023
While driving on the highway on an extended trip my cruise control dropped its speed from 71 to 65 without warning. On one occasion it happened while I was in the passing lane with a lot of traffic behind me. It created a very dangerous situation before I could get into the right lane. Another incident was when again I was driving along, no one in front of me, beside me or behind me and the speed ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 12, 2023
dashboard had check engine light on. transaxle indicator light turned on when i was driving about 65 mph on the freeway and slowed down and wouldn’t accelerate. The large commercial truck behind me was unable to stop on time that it almost hit us behind. There was a construction on my right lane and cars on my left lane. it took me some seconds to reach the end of construction site in my rig... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2023
Driving 80 miles an hour several hours from home on a major interstate and my car shut off. Pulled over on side of interstate and check engine light came on and car won’t accelerate and is making a knocking noise