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
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 9, 2023
Incident date: May 21, 2023
1. My brakes locked up on my and the warning light came on saying I hit something 2.the only windows that works is the drivers identified 3.my warning lights came on and it started smelling inside the car I shut the car off and the warning light went off so I thought it was OK finished driving home and became sick opened the hood and my battery had smoke pouring out of each side my sinuses were b... Read more
1 injured
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2019) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 9, 2023
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
While driving suddenly falsely detects obstructions and auto brakes , the acc system entirely turns on and off while driving , same with forward collision and lane keep assist. The dangers I’m having of auto braking on false obstructions is unfit for driving daily and is causing a road hazard as it almost has made me have accidents.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
Car stopped accelerating on the highway and held me at 40mph. This happened twice. Then before being able to get it in for service while driving the car made a loud bang and came to a rolling stop again on the highway and the transmission control system alarm went off and the car would not move. Had to get towed off the highway and in a rental now. This was a brand new 2023 hyundai kona sel limite... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2023
control module,left and right rear wheel speed sensors
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY SPORT
(2017) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 9, 2023
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
Happening within the first few weeks of purchase from new in November 2022. Delay and wildly inconsistent acceleration from a stop. This is most noticeable within the first 10 minutes of driving and is much worse when cold. Often, when accelerating from a stop, the vehicle does not move for several seconds; when the car does begin to move the acceleration is erratic and often results in wheel s... Read more
NISSAN
VERSA NOTE
(2015) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 9, 2023
Incident date: Jul 4, 2023
While driving in cruise control, the car suddenly decelerates periodically from 75 mph to 50 mph. No immediate safety issue but if a car had been following, we may have had a collision. We logged this with Tesla using “bug report”. No warnings. No inspections yet.
Incident date: Jun 29, 2023
The anti-lock braking system will fail intermittently which disengages the cruise control and traction control system as well as cause an audible chime. When this occurs, it may happen once or many times over the course of a few minutes, stop, start again, or stop altogether to reoccur a few days later. The issue appears to be the ABS control/hydraulic control unit issue others report. Loss of ant... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
Each time I drove my car the tire pressure light would flash before the ABS, brake system, power steering and traction lights would come on and the dealership could not find the problem although my car would not accelerate and the speed sensor has already been changed because only one went bad prior. 3 times to the dealership and no codes could be found and they couldn’t never duplicate the pro... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2016) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 9, 2023
Incident date: Feb 14, 2023
I have a 2018 Ram 2500 I has second abs module failure and dealer still has failed to get my truck fix. the abs failure been failed back in 12/25/2022. with abs failure cruise control is lost also.
Incident date: Jul 7, 2023
While using cruise control on the highway, the car suddenly decelerated twice. Each time the cruise control was set around 78mph, and it decelerated to approximately 70mph. No warnings were issued before, during, or after the decelerations— the car continued as if nothing had happened.
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
Our thermo control valve (TCV) assembly failed and caused dangerous loss of speed and control while on the highway. Subaru is fully aware of the defect in their design as they issued a service bulletin to inform their service centers of a new, fixed TCV assembly that is retaining the same part number (a notice only sent to their service centers, NOT to owners). Please see attached. Despite being ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
We have experienced several episodes of the car suddenly breaking for no reason when using cruise control. The speed is very quickly reduced a good 15 mph without warning.this is not only very alarming as drivers/passengers but it is incredibly dangerous. If there was a car following closely behind us, they would have hit us.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2001) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 8, 2023
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
Cruising on the highway and a transmission error comes up saying that there's no reverse gear. Got off the highway and even gears aren't engaring, no 2,4,6 gears. 1,3,5,7 gears are engaging. Turned off and parked the car for about an hour. Turned it on car drove fine but start/stop wasn't available and sport modes are not available. Had the car diagnosed at the dealer and the same symptoms an... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2023
Received this message “A possible condition with your Engine Control System Ha’s been detected. A full system check is recommended to be done when convenient. Please contact your local dealership to schedule an appointment.” at only 2,153 miles on my new 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2023
My turbo boosters keep causing my wastegate to malfunction and stay open. Causing my car to accelerate on its own. The pedal pulls itself down.
Incident date: May 10, 2023
Car suddenly accelerated and crushed into shop in parking lot
Crash
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2019) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 7, 2023
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
While driving an alert comes on that states check engine system. As soon as this happens all power in the car turns off. Engine is still running but you no longer have any turning signals, brake lights, headlights, air conditioning, etc. It happens randomly and has almost cause me to be rear ended due to car behind me not knowing I was slowing down or stopping. This happens when I am not close... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2013) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 7, 2023
Incident date: May 1, 2023
The vehicle slows unexpectedly while driving and will not go above 2 RPM causing me to slow to below 40 mph on the highway without any warning. I took the vehicle to Kia for an airbag recall and suddenly I started to have these engine problems. They never informed me there was a recall on my vehicle or that this issue could occur. I am not the original owner and acquired the vehicle from my dad, w... Read more
Incident date: Jun 19, 2023
When you press the accelerator it won’t do anything
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
On July 5, 2023 the electronics in our 2019 VW Golf Alltrack S, stopped working, while that car was been driven on a highway. The following was no longer operational, (while the car was still in motion): gauges such as speedometer, tachometer, fuel indicator and engine temperature; controls such as turn signals, wipers, dashboard and car indicator lights, also the infotainment system, used at that... Read more
CONTINENTAL
PURECONTACT LS
(9999) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 7, 2023
Incident date: Jul 4, 2023
Cruise control suddenly ceased operating and I believe that is disabling the automatic collision avoidance system.
Incident date: Jun 26, 2023
We are trying to make it out of the mountains of Colorado and back home to Missouri. We have the most horrific shaking on our truck. I am scared to death. This "death wobble" is TERRIBLE! I want someone to know now in case we die! We have a horse trailer loaded down with 4 horses and 2 dogs. There should be a recall for this!!!! Signed [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMA... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2022
After exiting a car wash (automated)on Monday-7/3/23, I was attempting to stop my vehicle so I could dry the exterior with towels. I was on the car wash property and as I approached an area that was open, I attempted to stop the vehicle, the engine revved very high and the vehicle took off at a very high speed in fractions of a second. The vehicle then climbed over a flower embankment and hit the... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 6, 2023
My car was set on navigate on autopilot, and normally it decreases speed when detecting change in speed limit. But for last couple of times, it's been not decreasing speed. On july 4th, 2023, I was driving and it did not change the speed limit based on the changes on the road. The speed limit had changed from 60 to 55, and it didn't change in the car. Also, Tesla just abruptly slowed down multip... Read more
FORD
ESCAPE HYBRID
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 6, 2023
Incident date: Jul 6, 2023
My SUV has been jerking really bad when I accelerate it almost feels like whiplash. Every time I take it to the dealer they tell me there's nothing wrong with it. It makes this knocking sound coming from the engine and when I accelerate it doesn't pick up speed.
LIPPERT
RETRACTABLE AWNING
(9999) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 6, 2023
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
I am having a problem with my 2017 Honda civic SI, it has been to a Honda service center twice now and continues to have the same problem after having the transmission speed sensor replaced twice now, there was a recall that did not affect my specific VIN but I am having the same problems listed in the recall, the service bulletin number is 18-102, I also have videos showing how the EPS (Electroni... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 6, 2023
Incident date: May 23, 2022
ACCELERATOR BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. HAD TO PLACE CAR IN NUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE TO REGAIN CONTROL.
Incident date: Jun 16, 2023
While driving vehicle will randomly have multiple warning lights on display suddenly appear (ABS, check engine, stability control, traction control, etc.) and speedometer would either go to 0 or read blank. In some instances power steering also cut out causing vehicle to swerve or jerk without warning. Spouse was scared to drive it when this happened and pulled over to have it towed. Did not wa... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2023
I was driving on the highway and as the electric engine ran out of power (it is a plug-in hybrid), the car failed to switch to the gasoline engine. There were warning lights that flashed and the "D" on the gear shifter was flashing. Power steering still worked, but could not accelerate. I was in the far right lane and was able to coast into the breakdown lane where I turned the car off, waited ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2022
When driving the car and when stopping at either a stop sign or stop light, turning a corner the car will lose power and will not go for at least 10-15 seconds. when letting the brakes go and pressing the gas pedal the car does not move, pressing all the way on the gas pedal the car will take about 10-15 seconds before moving. It’s like the engine lose power and the car will not accelerate.
Incident date: Jul 2, 2023
While driving my 2020 Jeep Renegade it will just shut itself down with no warning. I was on the freeway going 60 mph when the car just shut off causing me to have to pull over on the side of the freeway (which is illegal) and then having to restart the car - this happened 6 times in a matter of 24 hours causing me to have to bring my Jeep to the dealership. I was told that there are more electri... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2023
This is the second time the antilock brake control module has failed and this truck has less than 75k miles on it. The warning lights constantly come on and off and if I needed to brake I am not sure that my antilock brake system would work.
Incident date: Jun 20, 2023
With the cruise control set to a speed of around 60mph and with no other vehicles around, the truck accelerates (uncommanded) to some value over 71mph. This occurs randomly but is repeatable and has only started occurring within the past week. A definite safety concern.
Incident date: Jul 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Audi Q3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH over a speed pump the driver pressed the brake pedal while approaching a stop sign when suddenly the vehicle accelerated forward at a high rate of speed and crashed into a fence and brick wall. During the crash, the driver sustained a fractured nose, head and face lacerations, neck and lumbar pains, and a ri... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
Im not sure what the malfunction. Is but I’ve been experiencing delayed acceleration. I can be at a stop light and when it turns green I hit the gas and it won’t go until about 4 seconds later. I’m afraid i will get hit in the back or hit when turning because the delay. This also happens at stop signs or when I’m simply pulling out somewhere. When I looked it up on google many Nissan altim... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2014) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 5, 2023
Incident date: Jun 29, 2023
Ebs light comes on and I lose traction control and cruise control. Happens more often when humid and/or raining . When I use brakes when warning Iight is on brakes lock up -especially in the wet
Incident date: Jan 6, 2018
The car was on enhanced auto pilot and was moving at about 50 mph, the traffic in front of me slowed down. The car failed to give an alert, it failed to slow down and stop. I applied the breaks, but by then the car crashed into the pick-up truck in front of me. The car came to a complete stop after the crash and the computer system in the car completely shut down. The car had to be towed to the g... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
The Toyota bz4x have a large crash rate, because the Car Computer System is different from the Driver mind on the Highway. Cars cannot be a Driver or Substitute on Streets for Now. Any Changes of the lines on the Highway need Signals before, If you don't, your Car bz4x can't changed your line. In the work zone, the bz4x have a large probability of crash, because of NO STRAIGHT LINE IN THE WORK ZO... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
I entered a large, strip mall parking area and was driving at the vastly reduced speed one would use in such a situation. My intention was to park my car to enter a store in the mall. I turned a corner to park on the side of the building (parking options were limited). As I entered a parking space (moving at the speed one would drive to do so; essentially INCREDIBLY slowly; moving forward into the... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HYUNDAI
ELANTRA HYBRID
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 4, 2023
Incident date: Jun 27, 2023
Horn has failed twice. The first time it was taken to the dealership and “fixed” - now it has failed again. The second issue is that the car accelerates on its own, both at a high and low rate of speed. While traveling at approximately 60 mph on multiple occasions, when the engine transitions from the electric motor to the gas engine, it will suddenly rapidly accelerate without any additional ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
Phantom braking issue- Brakes were automatically applied while driving on open highway with no other vehicles around. Autopilot was in use, speed set to limit of 75 mph.
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
My 2018 sonata has been stalling out while I’m driving more so when I accelerate.I have a baby that I’m scared to drive with in the car because it does it randomly. It has been happening more & more everyday. I got new parts/starter etc. No codes on dash. Have an appointment next week with Hyundai to take a look.
Incident date: Jun 7, 2023
Noticed that the cruise control would disengage randomly when activated. I checked the function of the brake lights at night and found that the brake lights would turn themselves on randomly with zero brake input, disengaging the cruise control. In this state, depressing the brake pedal more than around 30-40% would turn the brake lights off, even with the brake pedal fully pressed. Furthermore, w... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2023
My car decelerates and has a problem accelerating and I received a Shift to Park error on my instrument panel which would not allow my car to cut off leading to a drained battery and rolling. When I looked up Shift to Park I found that there has been a recall on Chevy Malibus 2016-2019, but the dealership says there’s no recall on my car.
MERCEDES-BENZ
SPRINTER 4500
(2019) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 3, 2023
Incident date: Jun 27, 2023
The contact owned a 2015 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that upon pulling out of the driveway and driving downhill, the engine shut off inadvertently, and the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond, causing the vehicle to crash into a tree. There was no warning light illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a bump and soren... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
Cruse control will sometimes disengage and display these error messages: "Active Distance Assist Inoperative" "Active Brake Assist Functions Limited See Operator's Manual" Cruse control kicks out and the power cuts off abruptly. After some variable time the cruise control function will work again. This is an intermittent problem that occurs without warning. When cruise control set to 65-70 m... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
Tesla's Autopilot feature regularly experiences "phantom braking". A typical scenario is while traveling on an interstate highway in Idaho, Oregon or Washington state at the speed limit (70 to 80 MPH), the car will suddenly and violently decelerate. The severity can vary between annoying to so extreme that the passenger is thrown forward hard enough to engage the retention mechanism in the seat ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2023
There is a current recall on Chevy impalas with the trans mod control system but my vin number is not apart of the recall but my car is doing everything that recalls states. The recall number is 14V614000. The recall date 10-01-2014. My vehicle is 2014 and I have only had it for 2 years.
Incident date: Jul 2, 2023
My Expedition has adaptive cruise control. I was driving on the interstate at around 65 mph with the adaptive cruise set. I was raining, so I set it to max range. It worked fine for the first few minutes of rain. As cars started to slow down, mine sped up and put me in an extremis situation where I had to forcibly apply the brakes. It was following the car in front of mine fine at around 55 mph, b... Read more