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
MERCEDES-BENZ
CLA250
(2014) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 11, 2023
Incident date: May 11, 2023
3 days ago my motorcycle stayed with maximum acceleration where I had to jump off the motorcycle and let it fall to the ground the motorcycle have minor damage on body
Crash
Incident date: Apr 11, 2022
The right camera and coax cable have gone bad. The coax cable is corroded and have water inside the camera. This is affect the car to use cruise control and the auto steer function.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2022
My 2019 Honda Odyssey regularly hesitates from the stopped position or when quick acceleration is needed on the highway. This causes a safety hazard when making turns into traffic because I am not able to accelerate for approximately 1 second before I am able to increase speed. It is a known mechanical defect with Honda and they do not currently have a resolution. I reported this problem to my dea... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2023
There was no accident but I would like to prevent one. I believe there should be a recall on my vehicle regarding the service shifter. This defect could potentially result in power loss to the front wheels and the transmission being impossible to put into park. My vehicle service shifter light is on and my car jerks while driving. Is this not a problem with many Jeeps?
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 11, 2023
Incident date: Apr 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Maverick. The contact stated while her husband was driving 60 MPH and entering the interstate highway, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle instead decelerated to 40 MPH. The contact stated that the driver safely exited the roadway. The driver was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The co... Read more
CHRYSLER
PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 10, 2023
Incident date: May 8, 2023
Driving normal and then sudden down shift while driving on the freeway Had the software update and it’s still doing the same thing. Was told the lead frame needs replacement. Ford has so many issues with the parts they are back ordered and I am now moving past the extended 10 year / 150,000 mile warranty. I can’t drive and have no idea when or if parts will be available.
Incident date: Mar 20, 2023
My hybrid vehicle lost speed on the highway while going approximately 60 mph. The engine light started blinking. The battery charge icon started decreasing. I was able to exit the highway and pull into a parking lot. After 20 minutes, my car turned on and the battery icon showed it was charged. I drove to the dealership and after having my vehicle in the shop for several days. I forwarded an ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2022
While applying the breaks the vehicle will deactivate ABS and force the vehicle to slide without control. ABS will turn off and on without warning. While using cruse control abs will deactivate and cause cruse control to stop working, causing the vehicle to slow unexpectedly. This has happed while towing a goose neck trailer causing additional pressure on vehicle when sudden loss of cruise control... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2023
I rented the vehicle in question from Hertz. The vehicle's cruise control and vehicle acceleration system repeatedly malfunctioned over the course of several days. I would have cruise control set for 35 mph and the vehicle would automatically re-set cruise control to 55 or 65 mph. Likewise, I could have the cruise control set for 55 mph or 75 mph and it would automatically on its own re-set the cr... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2021
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that on three occasions while the vehicle was in drive but stationary, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,018.
Incident date: May 10, 2023
I had recently just had gotten and oil change less than 2 months ago, I had to take my car back to the dealership because it was taking a while for the car to pick up speed. Once I took it into the dealership they told me my engine needs to be replaced. I know someone else that I know that has a hyundai as well and their engine completely gave out as well. What's going on with the engines. My car ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
I was driving in 55 mph zone in heavy rain and car slowed down to less than 25 mph and would not accelerate over 25 mph when I pressed the gas. Dashboard lit up amber and stated “collision mitigation braking system problem..see your dealer” and lane departure problem. Car eventually accelerated but automatically decreased speed again and I was unable to accelerate after pressing gas. This happ... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2023
My car was purchased with 12,000 miles and supposedly worn tires. Because of that, I went to the dealership to get new tires and an alignment since the car was always pulling to the right. My car has been at the dealership four times for the same problem, and they still haven't fixed it. My car continues to constantly pull to the right, and when I use the cruise control, it stays above the other c... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
ML320
(2000) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 10, 2023
Incident date: May 7, 2023
Anytime I drive down a moderately steep hill, the transmission down shifts to a lower gear and the RPMs go above 5000. It seems to get stuck in this gear for a bit of time. If I speed up, the RPMs get to about 6000 before shifting. Otherwise, I’ll need to slow the vehicle considerably before it will change gears. I contacted the dealership and they told me to bypass it by switching to the manual... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2016) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 9, 2023
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
The forward collision avoidance system is malfunctioning and shuts down the traction and stability control systems making the vehicle more vulnerable to collisions. Multiple attempts to repair this system have been unsuccessful
Incident date: Feb 2, 2017
The ABS, Service Electronic Brakes, and traction control warning alert constantly goes on and off while driving, deactivating cruise control as well. It does it all speeds, in all gears, including on the highway, at 70, in traffic. This is especially problematic in the rain, as I don't know if the ABS will work or not. The alert goes on, resets and goes off, then goes on, then resets, constantly. ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2023
I was driving down the interstate with my cruise control on. It was set to 75 mph. The vehicle began to speed up on it's own. We reached 86/87 mph when I turned off the cruise control but the vehicle was still accelerating. We reached ~95mph, I was slightly applying brake pressure and this slowed down the rate of acceleration but did not stop it. I tried shifting to neutral but the car didn't... Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2022
I have taken my 2017 kia sportage in the dealer several times due to loss of power and hesitation when trying to accelerate. They always say they cant find any issue. Also, my Kia is using or losing oil. I get oil changed every 5000 miles and the last two changes I had less then the low mark, barely showing on dip stick. I have had to add quarts of oil after only 2000 miles since oil change. Oil ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the was stationary at a traffic light, the vehicle accelerated independently while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the RPM’s was elevated to 5,000. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving to his destinat... Read more
Incident date: Apr 23, 2023
I’m not sure exactly when everything started but it’s been a 2ish years. The lights on my steering wheel started blinking randomly. Then the cruise control stopped working. Then the lights went out entirely. Now the horn only works occasionally. It slowly got worse over time.
Incident date: Apr 19, 2023
upon entering the cross driveway at a mall parking lot, car suddenly veered right, accelerating & unresponsive to stepping on brakes pedal, steering wheel locked, gear buttons did not respond, seat belts tightened, but air bags DID NOT deploy. Speed was slowed when car ran over a large rock and crashed into the wall of small store front. I, the driver, have not been in any accidents, had not take... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The vehicle was slow to respond and failed to move. After the vehicle responded, the vehicle failed to exceed 35 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
The speedometer reads significantly higher than actual speed. Took to the dealership, they confirmed speedometer reads high but allege that it is within the 10% margin that is allow by Volkswagen. Car is currently still under full warranty and dealership says they are not allowed to fix because issue is "within allowable tolerance." Speedometer will read up to 4mph high at 60-70mph. This seems to ... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2023
While traveling with cruise set at 62mph and a truck was in the right turn lane the automatic collision went off and hard brake when nothing was in front of the truck this has happen also with out cruise control on pulling up to a stop light and being first person no other vehicle was on the road I also don't have forward collision turned on or lane departure
CONTINENTAL
CROSSCONTACT LX SPORT
(9999) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 7, 2023
Incident date: May 6, 2023
Driving at 80mph with cruise control on in daylight, car suddenly for no reason braked hard, this occured 2 times hard and several other times enough to alert us while driving and take Cruise Control off by touching brake pedal Car went immidiately from 80mph to 60mph throwing us forward in our seats.
Incident date: May 12, 2020
I’m having recalled issues in my car, but the car has no recall on it
Incident date: May 7, 2015
INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF ABS/HCU RESULTING IN NO ABS, CRUISE CONTROL, OR TRACTION CONTROL. UNABLE TO FIND THE PART IN QUESTION, DEALERS WANTING NEARLY $2000 FOR REPAIR ON UNACCEPTABLE TIMELINE. UNABLE TO HAUL SIGNIFICANT LOADS WITH TRUCK (I.E. CAMPER OR EQUIPMENT/TRAILERS). DOING RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK AND NO RECALL WAS EVER ISSUED. HCU PARTS ARE NOW RES... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2017) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 7, 2023
Incident date: Mar 27, 2023
It happened twice already when I step on the break pedal the car goes accelerated feels like you step on the gas pedal that is the problem the first incident I stopped and parked next to the gate because I need to put the code of the gate to open then when I come back to my car and step on the break to release the transmission from P parking 🅿️ then the car goes accelerate too fast almost hi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
Within 2 months of buying the car, it has stalled in traffic twice with engine revving. During the first time, it was unnoticeable until my car did not react when pushing the gas pedal. The car stayed at a stop until I restarted it twice. Kia dealership was informed, however, they could not find an issue or code. Recently, the second time was different and more scary. It stalled once again and as ... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2019
Sometimes when I mash the gas pedal to pull out from a stop it hesitates and doesn't move, then is sluggish when it does. This has happened often. It's dangerous.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
Engine and brake lights have come on. Engine knocks bad. Vehicles stall when pressing gas. Dangerous driving soecialy going through stop sign. Low power while pressing gas.
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2008) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 6, 2023
Incident date: Apr 10, 2023
The wrench light came on in the car and my OBD sensor will not pick up a code on what it could be. I was driving it yesterday to merge onto a highway when suddenly I couldn’t pass 15 mph and was stuck witch cars beeping and zooming around me. I had to shut the car off wait and turn it back on. The amount of complaints I’ve seen about the same exact issue happening to people in the same exact c... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2023
The car will not allow me to use the cruise control, or put the car into auto-steer. Tesla says it do to a coax cable that is damaged or gone bad. Additionally the day a camera repeater also needs to be replace. The car has only 62,000 miles and is 4 year old. Which is out of Warranty.
HONDA
ACCORD HYBRID
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 5, 2023
Incident date: May 5, 2023
Ford has known of a Service Trac fault appearing which disables the Anti Lock Brake, Hill Assist Control , and Cruise Control. Ford issued TSB 51210. However within that TSB the fault code must be active in order to complete the reprogramming thus there lies the problem. Once the fault code appears and the ignition switch is turned off the fault code resets. Ford has no solution for the proble... Read more
Incident date: May 5, 2023
Cruise control stops working and starts working again at varies times. Thermostat sticks to cause the the temp to go from normal to hot quick. Fuel gage/floater is never accurate with how much gas is in gas tank
Incident date: May 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle jerked and then lunged forward. The RPM decreased from 3,000 RPM to 0. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not di... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2017) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 5, 2023
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
I was pulling up to the Subway sandwich shop to pick up my lunch. I was approaching from their back ally (coming from Walgreens next door) so I could not have been going faster than a few miles per hour. As I approached the parking space the car started speeding up so I turned right to keep from going through the building and drove in circles to keep from hitting the buildings. I could not go onto... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Feb 14, 2023
On February 14, 2023 around 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. (EST), I drove to the local WAWA. Upon entering the driveway of WAWA at a very low speed and depressing the brake the car failed to come to a complete stop. I pressed down on the brake as hard as I good, but the car did not come to a stop until hitting the security/safety bollard in front of the WAWA store. I did not get injured and no one else was i... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 4, 2023
As I drive about 70 MPH, the ABS and the brake lights come on and the car is momentarily out of control. As I grabbed the tearing and reduce the speed dramatically, the system correct itself and I am able to continue driving at a very low speed.
Incident date: May 3, 2023
ABS lights flashing on dash, intermittent at times, sometimes all the time. Deactivates cruise and traction control. Dangerous when hauling loads. Sudden loss of cruise almost caused an accident.
Incident date: May 4, 2023
One month ago, my jeep compass's engine turned off on HWY199 in Southern Oregon, one of the most dangerous highways in Oregon. It was due to an error message saying "High Coolant Temperature Warning". This warning stalled my engine in the middle of going 55 mph with vehicles behind me and limited turn-offs. Luckily, I was able to find a driveway and go up it before I ran out of speed. I was not ab... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2007) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 5, 2023
Incident date: May 5, 2021
During a ride my speedometer/tachometer failed due to water intrusion. From what I have seen this is a very common issue. When this happened it caused me to loose my ABS, loss all other gauges. This was a huge saefty concern as I could not monitor anything and could have been potentially dangerous or deadly! This is a huge safety concern that I feel like harley is brushing under the rug! They need... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2023
The Instrument Cluster failed while driving. No gauges on dash work and the gear shift indicator light does not work. I have read online other owners with the same complaint. This should be on recall.
Incident date: May 4, 2023
Problemas de trasmicion
Incident date: Apr 21, 2023
Steering occasionally becomes extremely difficult at highway speeds, so stiff unable to make quick maneuvers to avoid potential accident.
Incident date: Apr 25, 2023
While braking into a parking spot, vehicle experienced sudden unintended acceleration. Brake did not engage, car rapidly surged forward over parking block, sidewalk and hitting building. Previously in day, car would not recognized key fob, would not unlock and would not start even though stepping on brake that would not depress. I had no control over vehicle,and this could have hit pedestrians... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 3, 2023
I was slowly pulling into a parking space and as I applied pressure to the brakes, there was no response. In fact the car seemed to rev up and accelerate, jumping the curb and ramming a tree. I was able to steer away from the tree to avoid hitting the center of the front end, but smashing the left front. Even after hitting the tree the car did not slow and I’m trying to pump the brakes, there... Read more
Crash
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2008) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 4, 2023
Incident date: Apr 28, 2023
1. A known about the recall for the power steering to go out. This was repaired as a recall a in 2014. It was replaced at no charge. In the last year the same thing happened again. I was charged over $1400 for repair at the dealership. Why was this not covered as well. Same part. Same problem a second time. ? 2. Also, cruise control has gone out over a year ago. No one told me there wa... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2023
at highway speeds, the transmission unexpectedly shifts to neutral with no warning. The only indication is unexpected decrease in speed and accompanying engine rev. My typical driver response is to take foot off accelerator, then put back on again. Engine overrevs then shifts in to gear. I'd estimate it's out of gear for ~ 5 seconds, but hard to say in the heat of the driving moment. This hap... Read more
CHRYSLER
TOWN AND COUNTRY
(2008) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 4, 2023
Incident date: May 2, 2023
T & C 2008 VAN UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION happened 2x. Service dept. Of the dealer says no problem found but it happened again. Today I am at dealer service again.Hope they solve the problem, cause several incident like this occured aluready.04
Crash