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
FORD
ESCAPE HYBRID
(2020) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 28, 2023
Incident date: May 27, 2023
While driving on a relatively straight, 2-lane highway with cruise control set and no autopilot, the car started to brake suddenly and aggressively. This caused the car behind me to almost rear end my car. Luckily I was quick enough to press the accelerator to avoid the accident. This same sudden braking happened a total of 4 times within a 200 mile trip, one of which almost caused an accident.
Incident date: May 20, 1989
While in cruise control, the car suddenly reduced its speed; there is no obstacle in the path of the cat that would warrant such an action. This deceleration is sudden and violent and when it happens is dangerous for following drivers.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
The car is accelerating by his own, without having the cruise control on and this happened a couple times, mostly after a full stop on a red light, until you don’t make a manual full emergency break it won’t stop. It can cause death if it accelerate it by his own, also couple times the front camera has a fall out and he’s warning the pre collision even no car is in front of you
Incident date: May 27, 2023
I was experiencing shaking and guttering during acceleration. I was coming from a full stop (red light, stop sign). It shakes, and I have back off the accelerator. When it happened, I had my children in the car on a busy roadway. I would hate to think of what could have happened if my vehicle had stopped on the busy road or crossing railroad tracks. Thankfully, we were close to home, roughly 2-3 m... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2023
While reversing out from a drive way and turning to get into the lane the cars velocity massively increased from no throttle coasting to approximately 20 mph. Panic braking and enough space due to it being a cul-de-sac saved us, but we were launched forward in our seats and slammed back during breaking. we were very fortunate not to have anyone or anything behind us as we nearly went over a curb... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2023
The truck will jump from sixth gear to first gear, or will go from first gear straight to fifth and be stuck in fifth , or be stuck in first, the truck will randomly take off on its own or come to a screeching stop on highways going 60 mph, the gear indicator will stop working, alongside all other gauges on the dash, such as gas mileage, RPM, speedometer, heat and oil gauge will all stop working, ... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2023
Driving sometimes with cruise on and sometimes not or going up a slight inclined the car will lose RPM goes down and then back up. I Was merging on to a highway went to give it gas and RPM goes down and I had 2 semis coming up on me so had to pull over to shoulder. It is very unsafe because you just dont know when it is going to do it. Have had it in to dealership computer and no code. But very v... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2021
When driving approximately 65 mph on the highway, alert on the vehicle display came on saying to pull over the engine would shut down soon. We were able to pull over and the car no longer worked. We were driving with our family of young children in the car, had there been no shoulder to pull over on the highway we would have been extreme danger.
Incident date: May 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to approximately 30 MPH and went into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light, the service power steering warning light, the service transmission warning light, the low tire pressure warning light, and the traction control warning light were illuminated. The conta... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2023
The Ioniq 5 when using level 2 regen, level 3 regen, and i-pedal (one pedal driving), does not turn on the break light when decelerating, even if coming to a full stop unless the driver removes their foot completely from the pedal or hits the break pedal. These driving modes allow the driver to perform regenerative breaking almost to a complete stop without turning on the break lights and warnin... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2023
Any time I am coming to a stop from 40/45 mph the car would accelerate although I am breaking! This is not safe. It happens randomly while driving I could be in traffic and it will accelerate soon as I put my foot on the break.
Incident date: May 4, 2020
VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND SLOWS DOWN WHILE IM DRIVING AND WANT SPEED BACK UP. ONLY GOES 30 IN A 70 ON THE HIGHWAY.
Incident date: May 25, 2020
When driving at certain lower speeds the vehicle is jerky. The car will go into high RPM's when excelerating even when not fully pressing the gas pedal. The engine is burning through oil very quickly. In less than a month from my oil change I have had to put 5 quarts in. When the cruise control is on it sometimes excelerates faster than what it is set for. This has been ongoing for about a year.... Read more
LES SCHWAB
BACK COUNTRY QS3 TOURING HT
(9999) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 25, 2023
Incident date: May 25, 2023
I have been experiencing serious safety issues with the 2019 Hyundai Tucson I purchased that have been ongoing since February of 2023. The check engine light comes on, begins to flash, and the car goes into 'limp mode' and will not allow me to accelerate faster than 45/50 mph. Consequently, it will further stall on hills due to the inability to accelerate. Below is a brief timeline of this inciden... Read more
Incident date: Jun 10, 2022
The Anti-Lock Brake control module along with the Hydraulic control unit is failing. At any rate of speed, the traction control light and the ABS light comes on and off repeatedly. When this happens, the cruise control disengages which has cause the truck to slow down rapidly in heavy traffic causing other drivers to almost rear end my pregnant wife, 3 year old son and I. I had my local ram dealer... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2023
I have a 2019 Audi Q5 with under 24k miles over the past 4 years of new vehicle ownership. There have been 5+ instances where I am driving under normal conditions and suddenly the vehicle jerks abruptly, slows down to half the original speed (from 65 mph on freeway to 30 mph), gear shifting becomes irregular and the following indicators appear on the dashboard: 1) check engine light, 2) vehicle r... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2023
Car was in autopilot multiple times and sharply applied brakes with nothing in front or obstacles. This is dangerous and almost caused an accident.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2023
while driving on the highway/freeway system in the Portland Oregon area on several occasions one of which i initiated myself activated the cruise control immediately after initiating the vehicle began to increase its speed to the continuing to speeds well beyond the 100 mile per hour mark I was not able to deactivate the cruise control in the usual ways pressing the brake pedal did not work c... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2023
The ABS and Traction lights intermittently come on and blink non stop. Also, a "Service Antilock Brake System" and a "Service Electronic Braking System " message scrolls through the dashboard screen with an audible alarm. The truck was inspected on September 2nd of 2020 and parts 05400701- Control unit, Brake anti-lock hydraulic and part 68143491AA- Control Antilock Braking System were replaced un... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2023
The ABS, traction control, cruise control and 4x4 no longer function. It started intermittently and now is constant. The vehicle is available for inspection. After a hard stop the abs won’t engage and I lost traction of the truck. There are two warning lamps that are on at all times (abs and traction control). It has been ongoing for almost 1 year and 10,000 miles or so.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2016) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 24, 2023
Incident date: May 24, 2023
Son was driving truck in a straight line when it lost all power. Although we have experienced issues during turns that I have noted before here, this is the first incident while driving in a straight line.
Incident date: May 23, 2023
Lifter randomly went bad while driving down highway. Safety concern is being put into low power mode on an interstate and vehicle running rough. No warning lights and perfect performance before it happened.
Incident date: May 24, 2023
While stopped at a “STOP” sign, the Subaru Forester unintentionally accelerated into a tree although the brake pedals were repeatedly utilized; it was totaled.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: May 22, 2023
2018 Tesla Model 3 was in cruise control (not self-drive) on an interstate with no other vehicles in the near vicinity. The car repeatedly applied brakes unexpectedly. I have traveled with this vehicle before and did not have unexpected braking problems. I have requested a Tesla service appointment but do not know if Tesla has an answer to what I hear is a widespread problem.
Incident date: Apr 12, 2023
Driving I-80 on May 9 between 2 - 4 pm going approx 70mph using autopilot. Sudden, unexpected, rapid deceleration causing back seat contents (suitcases & my dog) to fly forward. Nothing in front of me, no visual obstruction, weather clear and sunny. Luckily no one behind me. It felt like I had slammed on the brakes. I did get off highway shortly after to get dog out of where he lodged in back seat... Read more
Incident date: Mar 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently swerved in and out of the lane and accelerated unintendedly for approximately 8 to 10 seconds and then performed as designed. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repa... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2023
On May 22, 2023 around 19:00 after driving my vehicle for nearly 90 minutes the vehicle no longer responded to the gas pedal being depressed by increasing acceleration. The vehicle would not go over 2,500 RPMs even with the gas pedal fully depressed. No warning were shown on the driver display or in the messaging system. The manual gear shifting did not work to raise or lower the gears while th... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2023
Car shut down in the middle of the highway at around 30 mph. While using the adaptive cruise control, i stepped on the gas to accelerate. The car then shut down and many warning lights came on. The car did not respond to restarting, shifting or anything. Screen just said charge fault error.
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2019) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 23, 2023
Incident date: May 23, 2023
Vehicle steering sticks and at times and locks while vehicle is in motion on highway and roads. Requires max effort to return to center and at times vehicle tries to follow lines on highway even with adaptive cruise control and lane departure system turned off. Very unsafe steering with almost a few accidents due to loss of control.
Incident date: May 23, 2023
While driving on the highway the vehicle began to shake and the stability track light came on. It felt like it affected the transmission. We had to get it towed 30 miles to our home area. Shop Calibrated the brakes and says that took care of it. This vehicle only has 30,000 miles on it.
Incident date: May 23, 2023
The vehicle suffers extreme throttle lag. Pulling away from a stop sign, or turning into traffic the vehicle does not respond to gentle acceleration. After a few seconds the vehicle jumps forward almost as though it jumps into gear. This has left me sitting in intersections and has placed me in several dangerous situations. This is a safety hazard.
Incident date: May 21, 2023
With the cruise control set at highway speed (65pmh, etc) If you push the foot controlled parking brake it will not cancel the cruise control. The vehicle increases the acceleration to maximum and overrides the parking brake input. If using the parking brake in an emergency you would stomp on the parking (emergency brake) and not be able to slow down unless separately cancelling the cruise control... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2023
Starting in June 2018, I have had seven episodes of unintended acceleration. (I have owned the car, purchased in private sale, since June of 2013.) There were common elements to each incident:1. gradually slowing; 2. foot on brake; 3. engine accelerates sharply, a moment before complete stop in first six, a moment after in seventh and last. In each incident able to maintain control as foot alrea... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2023
Sudden Unintended Acceleration....ONCE AGAIN! I was pulling into a parking stall of a shopping center at about 2-3 mph. I started to apply the brakes. Simultaneously, the car lurched forward hitting a retention pole. In an attempt to stop the car from going any further, I continued to press down on the brake pedal and shifted into reverse. The EDR shows that the gasoline engine reached 2200 rpms, ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 15, 2023
The problem I am writing about is not specific to my Tesla vehicle, but inherent to all Tesla's. I have read in the news about the issue concerning the full AutoPilot with drivers not paying attention figuring the vehicle will drive itself. Although, there is another inherent issue with vehicles without subscribing to AutoPilot while using the cruise control feature resulting in a problem referred... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2023
While driving, throttle stuck wide open. It was like I was flooring the gas pedal. I managed to pull over and stop vehicle. I restarted and was able to drive home.
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER SPORT
(2020) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 22, 2023
Incident date: May 11, 2023
parked in angle space and turned off car. went into store for about 15 minutes. got in car and started it. heard a noise sounding like a car revving engine and looked behind me to see if it was another vehicle. realized it was my car. tried to push foot on accelerator but it was all the way to floor and would not come up. immediately put foot on brake and turned off car. looked at floor mat and... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2022
Driving down the highway about 70 mph and it started to rain so little that I had not even needed the wipers yet. Then out of nowhere with absolutely no warning what so ever the breaks locked up and the car began to slide and was completely unresponsive to any solution possible. The steering wheel was locked in place and the break peddle was so far to the floor I was not able to reach it. After co... Read more
Crash
Fire
Incident date: May 21, 2023
I was driving and the battery light came on with a chime, within seconds the car smelled hot, the air conditioning went out, road hazard lights on dash indicating flat tire came on, windshield wipers were going on and off at different speeds and windows were opening and closing and then did not work at all. I got the car into the driveway as I was en route to our home. As I got car to the drivew... Read more
Incident date: May 22, 2023
My transmission keeps slipping. I was on freeway this time and it slipped out of gear but it was like I pushed all the way down on pedal the RPM went way up so I had to wait until it slipped back into gear to be able to continue on down the freeway. I backed up traffic for a minute because I can't put on gas until it goes back in gear.
Incident date: May 22, 2023
Motor burns oil knocks and is loosing power while driving. Constantly having to add oil between oil changes. When trying to accelerate car starts to sputter on highway. Can't get power to engine and bad rattle sounds
Incident date: Feb 15, 2023
A two-month old Tesla model Y encountered phantom braking at least 12 times in 5 days while Autopilot was activated. All incidents happened in a 4000 miles round trip on I-5 in California, I-10 in Arizona, and I-10 in Texas. The vehicle underwent automatic braking without any prior prediction. As a result of these incidents, there was a potential risk of the rear vehicle colliding with my own vehi... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 21, 2023
Incident date: Jun 29, 2021
This car is a lemon. First the hood. Finally got that fixed. Then seat belts & fuel injection piece...got fixed. Then a whole piece fell off and was in my driveway. Took it to dealership & was told no way this was from my car because it was from and old Lancer that isn't made anymore. Then turned out it was in fact uses on my car. They took awhile but then replaced part. It was something for AC ex... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2015) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 21, 2023
Incident date: May 21, 2023
I was driving on the highway at 65 mph when I suddenly felt a loss of power on in the car. I then saw the check engine light come on and my hybrid battery was almost discharged. I floored my foot to make sure but the car was still decelerating. I then pulled off the highway as safely as possible and shut off the car. When I turned the car back on, the check engine light was still on and the engine... Read more
Incident date: May 21, 2023
Their is a recall for Ford Abs Module yet their needs to be one for 2012 Ford Fusions Se as well I have paid over 3200 dollars for my brakes alone . I have had 2 near misses and was in an unreported incident today from power loss on my breaks . Very unsafe for me and those around
2 injured
HYUNDAI
SANTA CRUZ
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 20, 2023
Incident date: May 4, 2023
Car accelerated on its own, with no pedal pressure. My right foot was on the mat
Incident date: Feb 25, 2023
Purchase car in December 2018, had 3 engine replacement. I am currently in the 3 engine replacement. And still experiencing the same issue - check engine light permanently on for 2 months now. Issues A whistling sound from an opening vent in the hood since last engine replaced. Call stalls, reduces speed and jerk when trying to accelerate . Have reached out to Reed lallier Chevrolet they makin... Read more
LAND ROVER
DEFENDER
(2020) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 19, 2023
Incident date: May 19, 2023
Driving down the highway with the cruise control set and all of a sudden the cruise control stops working and my dash is dinging with service ABS system and service Electronic Brake System. The truck had 78,500 miles when this first happened. Now it does it intermittently while driving down the road. I notice there’s no recalls and it sound like a large problem. Haven’t taken it to a dealer ye... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2023
When using cruise control the car decides to randomly hard-brake dropping instantly 40+ mph OR it increases speed higher than the set cruise control for no reason. We literally have had our bodies slammed into the seats during braking and we will inevitably be rear-ended for this faulty “phantom” braking. We submitted a service request to Tesla on 5/18/23 and were told there’s nothing to be ... Read more
Incident date: May 18, 2023
The vehicle has had 2 instances of accelerating extremely fast unexpectedly. Once when I was backing up and lightly pressed the accelerator the car shot backwards in a fast speed. The second time I was parking and lightly pressed the accelerator as I was pulling into the parking spot the car sped super fast crashing my car into the pole and damaging my front car bumper.
Crash