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 24, 2023
The car lost acceleration power when driving, showed no codes, and displayed a message to shift to park and restart car. This incident happened twice including after the car was taken to the dealer, who could not find anything wrong with the car. A google search revealed several 2018 vehicles with that problem and a recall for 2017 models and earlier; however, the 2018 model has not been recalled ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 29, 2023
A known wire chaffing problem for this make/model caused vehicle to loose all transmission power. Doors unlocked and locked on their own while moving the vehicle. Had two young children with me in 100+ degree weather. Truck finally moved in first gear at 20 mph max to get home on the road with other traffic.
Incident date: Apr 21, 2023
ABS TRACTION CONTROL BRAKING ISSUES AND DANGER. ONLY HAS 24K MILES GARAGE KEPT
Incident date: Aug 29, 2022
Driving approx. 45 mph when truck lost acceleration. Truck began making clanking sound and check engine light came on and electronic throttle control light. Almost got into an accident due to someone almost rear ending me and then had to coast into a parking lot when I lost total control of all steering and almost hit a parked car. Truck would not restart, had to call for a tow back home that wa... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2023
From Aug 23 to 28, 2023, we traveled in our 2020 Tesla Model S Long Range Plus vehicle from Santa Fe, NM to San Diego, CA and back, for a total distance of approximate 2100 miles. We drove primarily interstates (I-25, I-10, I-8, I-5) where speed limits ranged from 55 to 75. We experienced numerous instances of what is known to Tesla owners as sudden, severe "phantom braking" [hereinafter PB] wh... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2023) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 29, 2023
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
While driving home from a trip , the car suddenly lost power . and engine light came on an then transmission light overheating light came on . I was near a town pulled over and had car towed to nearest Hyundai dealer. after waiting a week they finally looked at the vehicle, and said that mice had eaten the transmission electrical harness. Days later they repaired the damage, their was only 6000 m... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2023
Antilock Brake and Traction control warning lights alert with dashboard message intermittently notifying to "service electronic brake system" and "service antilock brakes". Warnings come and go and may stay off for several days. When in warning mode, cruise control is de-activated; either shutting off, if set, or not allowing use. Dealer repaired by replacing pump control module (part#68143491AB) ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2023
This incident singled happen in a 20 or so miles on my way home commute, no freeway drive. I was driving pulling out of a parking street when I notice the vehicle tendency to pull me forward, even though I was preparing to stop. It continue to have this issue at a stop sign and traffic light. at first it was mild pull as if you are being towed. Sporadic pushing forward, but when I turned to the le... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2023
Took car in back in April 2022 to settle the recall. After servicing the car the abs and two other sensor lights came on, it’s now August 2023 it has less than 100,000 miles and it’s less than 10 years.
Incident date: Jun 28, 2023
The front camera system has failed. The cables need replacing, which was diagnosed by a Ford dealer. I have no collision assist, no cruise control, no lane keeping abilities, nothing that has to do with the camera in front. This is a known problem that Ford is not admitting to. All years of the Mach-E are having this issue, frequently. It has put myself and others on the road in danger by not... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
Vehicle started displaying “Service Electronic Braking System” and “Service Anti-Lock Brakes” intermittently and rapidly, during normal driving. Problem appears at random, and when it happens, the cruise control cuts out causing loss of speed. Truck shows code C0020-01 with an ABS code reader, meaning that either the Hydraulic Control Unit or Anti Lock Brake Module (or both) require replac... Read more
Incident date: Jul 3, 2023
Transmission jerks. Cvt transmission causing significant issues. Have already changed faulty valve body, mass air flow sensor, and idle control sensor.
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2013) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 28, 2023
Incident date: Aug 11, 2023
Since I got the car in 2018 the car does a jutter I went to a mechanic and they hooked it up to the computer and did a diagnostic and that's what it's called a judder the car keeps stuttering when it hits past 23 mph. As the years went on it has gotten worse and worse and Nissan will not cover it even though they're at fault for it I don't know what to do because certain mechanics are charging $3,... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
I was parking car. Car unexpectedly accelerated, hit object in front of me & continued accelerating off road into a field until I got car into neutral. Car has not been inspected for cause. At time of accident I assumed I made an error. Danger is car was going extremely fast with no control to stop. Drive off road maybe 20 feet after hitting a manual water pump (at campsite). There were childr... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
I was coming to a stop due to a train passing by. As I got closer to the other vehicles that were waiting for the train, I let go of the acceleration and then the vehicle on its own launched forward rear ending the car in front of me.
Crash
FORD
CROWN VICTORIA
(2006) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 28, 2023
Incident date: Aug 2, 2023
I was backing up my car very slowly from my friend's drive way to center of street, all the sudently the car lost control, keep backing up with very fast speed 360 degree to hit neighber's front yard wall and concrete street light. back of my car smasshed and total lost.
Crash
1 injured
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2014) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 28, 2023
Incident date: Aug 10, 2023
Driving on wet road, braking system acting strange. Slowed down, dashboard lit up, tried to get off freeway and ended up spinning into wall. Drove home 30 miles on back roads, then slowed down at intersection, dashboard lit up again, parking brake engaged, vehicle locked up, dash kept flashing, could not start vehicle or put in neutral. Dealer states there were multiple failed brake system al... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 28, 2023
We were driving on the highway at about 65 MPH. Without warning, the vehicle suddenly started to struggle and slowed to about 40 MPH. We were able to safely pull over, but we were in an acceleration lane merging onto another highway and didn't feel safe due to the sudden deceleration. This is a plug-in hybrid. We have driven at 65+ MPH on long rides before, and this was the first time that we not... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2023
The vehicle keeps stating the brake mitigation, acc, and other various Honda sensor features need to be repaired and to contact a dealer. The vehicle de-accelerates on its home and doesn’t allow any of the Honda sense features to work. All the components of the dash are triggered at once. Most of the time the vehicle drives fine without the use of the Honda sense features. I have brought this to... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2014) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 28, 2023
Incident date: May 5, 2023
While driving on the highway at 70 mph, cruise control engaged, there was a sudden loss of drive power. I could not accelerate, or return to the cruising speed. The speed just dramatically fell. The only remedy was to pull over to the side of the road, turn off the car, and start it again. This VIN was not included in the initial similar recall earlier this year.
Incident date: Aug 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the adaptive cruise control (ACC) mode failed to disengage as intended and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the windshield wipers engaged unintendedly and remained engaged after the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The contact's husband disconnecte... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
I purchased the new 2023 TAOS Volkswagen. I am experiencing sudden burst of acceleration when I’m gently accelerating. I have had several near misses of having an accident. I have read several other reports of the same problem on online forums. What is Volkswagen going to do about this? I just paid $35,000 for this new car and I’m afraid I’m gonna have an accident the way it suddenly acceler... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2019) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 27, 2023
Incident date: Jul 16, 2023
malfunction cause unanticipated acceleration in sport driving mode.
Incident date: Aug 27, 2023
My truck does this during, gears shifts 3-4- them 3,4,t complete gri g like people noise somewhere around 15 mph - 20 mph. Happens 80% of the time when I'm slowing down coming around a curve on a slight inclin, 5gear sounds like it's grinding in then it dowm shifts to 4th and slows down very fast..then downs hard shift with clunk upto 5th when speeding up after that slight turn . Seem to get wor... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C350E
(2017) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 27, 2023
Incident date: Aug 17, 2023
I was pulling into a parking space at my work parking lot, where I have been parking my car for the past 2.5 years. I was slowly parking the CRV, my foot was not applying any pressure on the gas, I was slowly easing into the parking space and as I was putting my foot on the brake to stop, it was very hard as if it was locked and the car kept going. I couldn't stop the SUV and it jumped the curb/... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 26, 2023
This vehicle had a complete engine failure. Since it is a hybrid, when the engine shut down, the vehicle lost all power. The driver had no control over steering or brakes. The vehicle crashed through three trees and into a house. Hyundai Motors of America and NHTSA are aware of the issues with this vehicle's engine, however, this engine was already replaced. The problem was that the "limp mode" di... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: May 10, 2023
The vehicle throws a forward collision warning and then suddenly brakes to slow down while driving with no road hazard in front. This occurs about once every 10 days. This is a safety hazard because the forward collision warning has to be turned off every time the car is turned on. It will not stay off. During sudden braking, an accident may occur behind the vehicle. We have left the car at the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2021
Cruise control disengages randomly. Gear indicator goes from 6th gear to 1st gear or displays -. This typically happens on interstate at 55-75mph and causes sudden engine braking with rapid deceleration. This creates a risk of getting rear ended at high rates of speed. This had been a common problem reported on forums for this model of motorcycle.
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 26, 2023
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
Sudden acceleration when entering an open parking space, causing the car to hit two vehicles and causing extensive damage to my and the other vehicles. Safety of others would have been at risk as the accelerations was unintended and unexpected and if people were present they would have been in danger. The vehicle is currently at dealership for examination of unintended acceleration and accident.... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 25, 2023
I write to report the issues which are a safety hazard to me & whom ever operates it or I transport in it, Which creates a higher concern for my & their safety . I purchased a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder SL on July 6, 2023 an eight seater model 4WD with 8 miles on the speedometer manufactured by Nissan as per label on door April 2023.The problem I have experienced recently after a month & two weeks no... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
UNKNOWN the cars transmission after running for a bit feels like it slips out and will not lock in and shift, leading to higher rpm I run at 2500 to go 45 miles per hour, I also only get 4.3 miles per gallon it says on the dash.
Incident date: Jan 21, 2023
Once the cruise control is set, it consistently drops below the set speed and surges back up or over the set speed. Set on 62, it drops to 59 or 60, then surges back up to 62 or 63. This happens on perfectly flat roads with no traffic in front or beside the car. The dealership tried to tell me that the camera for the adaptive cruise might be seeing things in its peripheral vision area, but there i... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2023
I was driving down the highway on cruise control going 67 on a 65. The car started revving up and then proceeded to go faster. I turned off the cruise control but its continued to speed up. I stomped on the brake 4 or 5 times with no effect. I rammed into the back of a bus at 110 mph.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 21, 2023
I was on a road trip in South Dakota through I-90 and the vehicle stopped in middle of the road caused by phantom braking while running by its autopilot (7 times total). In multiple instances, there were vehicles not far behind. This is really scary as in any moment we could have been in a fatal accident on the 80mph road. Tesla needs to fix this ASAP. Not acceptable at all from a vehicle that cos... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2023
Vehicle loses power, my vehicle stop on the highway going 55 miles per hour, I came very close to being rear ended. My vehicle consumes excessive fuel, the vehicle quicks back upon acceleration. This causes a great concern as I used my vehicle for work. I attempted to have the dealer resolve this and I was told that there was nothing they could do. However, this faulty performance might cause a tr... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
I believe my PCM went bad.
Incident date: Mar 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while their wife was pulling into a parking space, uphill, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle jumped the curb and crashed into a sign. The vehicle continued accelerating approximately a car length of distance causing it to jump another curb onto grass and eventually come to a stop. The air bags did not deploy. The vehi... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon depression of the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal became stuck, causing the vehicle to unintendedly accelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle operated as intended. ... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2023
The ABS module failed on my truck and was replaced using an OEM part. The newly installed module worked for a few months, but failed. Upon failure the speed control failed, the ABS light came on and the truck was stuck in the middle of the street where I tried to restart the vehicle. The truck wouldn't shift into drive or neutral to be moved. The truck was unable to be moved and it took multip... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2023
At speeds over 60 MPH, the BMW K1600 B motorcycle is unstable and wobbles. The instability at speeds over 60 MPH are unsafe, and I, nor my wife, will ever ride it again as it feels like the motorcycle is going to lose control and fall over at high speeds causing injury or death to us or others. BMW Motorcycles of Cleveland inspected it, rode it and verbally stated that they agree it has stabilit... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2023
Vehicle braked without warning with cruise control engaged. Luckily there were no other vehicles near us when this phantom braking occurred.
Incident date: Aug 21, 2023
On three separate occasions, I was driving on the highway and lost power to accelerate causing a safety issue as I was on a fast-moving highway and had to find an exit or pull over. The three times were September 22, 2022, March 23, 2023 and July 23, 2023. The first time I had it towed to Hennessy Honda in Woodstock, GA. They were unable to determine anything was wrong. The second time, I pull... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
I am not a mechanic but when I drive my vehicle, I feel like it doesn't have enough amps to move it along like it's missing something. I have pressed on the accelerator and heard a "winding noise" like the little engine that could but wants to. This is a horrible car!!! I have only had this vehicle for a month and it's a nightmare to drive. It sometimes does not accelerate, and the take-off is unb... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
While driving at a slow rate of speed, the engine turned off, the emergency brake engaged itself automatically, and the truck came to a sudden stop--very unexpectedly. There was a message that came on the screen telling me to put the truck in park to turn the vehicle on.
Incident date: Jul 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. There was no cause for the failure found. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C 300
(2018) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 24, 2023
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
Concern: The "Autopilot" system in my 2023 Tesla Model Y AWD LR has shown diminished performance, particularly in adaptive cruise control, compared to the 2018 Model 3 RWD Long Range. Account: I aim to notify NHTSA about a concerning "Autopilot" behavior in my 2023 Model Y AWD LR. I am comparing this to the performance of my previous 2018 Model 3 RWD Long Range, driven under similar conditions. ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
On 8/20/23 heading south on I-294 in Chicago : in center lane with cruise control on and no cars close in front of me when the car suddenly started a hard braking without warning. No orange warning to brake came on but engine warning light of left of dashboard was on. Immediately turned off cruise control. Car would not accelerate and came to a stop on the highway. Tried to start without success,... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2023
This happened twice before I took the car back to the dealer for service. Both times I was driving the vehicle and it suddenly stops accelerating. The car suddenly comes to a stop. I continued pressing the accelerator and the car continued to quickly slow down to a stop. Both times I was in traffic and could have been rear ended or certainly could have caused an accident. The car is currently... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
Lexus issued a Warranty Enhancement Program sometime in 2022. It stated that if the check engine light would illuminate due to moisture and cold in the air injection pumps and air switching valves. The warranty would be good until 10 years from first use which is 10/23 for this vehicle. I was not experiencing the problem at the time I received the notice so I files it. A few months later I started... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2023
The TCM failed in rush hour traffic! In Minneapolis Minnesota, the stability control light came on, traction control light came on, no throttle, no power. We backed up traffic, got push to the side of the road, towed to the service shop, and was told the Transmission control module (TCM) failed. Then told they are on national backorder from GM. The truck has been down for 3 months with no answe... Read more