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
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2015) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Apr 19, 2023
Incident date: Feb 19, 2023
The contact leased a 2022 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds in a parking garage, the vehicle struck the curb and independently accelerated. The contact was unable to control the vehicle. The contact attempted to shift gear, but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle then came to a stop, avoiding a crash. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove to his reside... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2023
The Cruise Control will automatically set itself to either 20mph or 120mph when engaging it as usual. This happens with no common circumstances that I can see, but as it has happened over 10 times and I have only had the brand new car since Aug 31 2022 and the dealership does not seem concerned about it, I though I should report it to you. It HAS put both myself and others at risk, as the first ti... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2023
Pulling into a gated parking lot. Once the gate opened the car accelerated and would not brake. Crashed into three car causing damage to Lucid and their vehicles. Have sent car to the dealership but still have not heard back from them. We also have video of accident
Crash
Incident date: Mar 25, 2023
The stabitrac system malfunctioned and went into low power mode while on the highway almost in an accident because of speed loss. The button to turn it off did nothing. Still unsure what caused this to malfunction but needs to be a way to override to maintain speed without power loss
Incident date: Feb 18, 2023
On the evening of April 18, 2023, I was driving on the southbound 101 in Northern California using autopilot, and despite the surrounding area being clear of other vehicles, pedestrians or debris, without warning, the autopilot system forced the vehicle to suddenly and harshly brake. It was completely unwarranted and unexpected and really gave me and my passenger a scare, and this ain’t the firs... Read more
TOYOTA
COROLLA CROSS
(2023) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Apr 18, 2023
Incident date: Mar 4, 2023
UNKNOWN
Crash
Incident date: Apr 12, 2023
Not necessarily a failure or malfunction. When making right/left turns vehicle will accelerate for apparently no reason. Each time entering a parking lot or making a standard right/left turn. Each time this has happened during this acceleration it has almost caused a vehicle crash with another car in front or in another incident almost hit pedestrian. Found that the Rocker switch for Cruise co... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2023
ABS and HCU are in need of replacement parts. Because no replacement parts are available, I have no choice but to drive a Truck with questionable Breaking System, putting me, my family and others at risk, since the brake system is what stops my Truck when I need it to stop or slow down. I use this to tow the family travel trailer as well. This is also very important when brakes are needed to ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2023
This make and model is having the exact same 6 speed transmission issues as earlier recalls. The final straw was when the truck failed to register the speed and slowly crept into oncoming traffic at night, while I turned left. It bucks and shifts hard at neighborhood and highway speeds. More often than not, it is a down speed shift and aggressive, whiplash buck. I lose control of the vehicle and t... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2023
LCD panel goes blank, when i shift it, it smacks hard and does not go into gear. cuts out and speedometer fails. Have to shut off and restart
Incident date: Apr 14, 2023
Driving down the expressway, doing around 70 mph and the vehicle randomly jumps to first gear and brings the vehicle to a near halt in less than one second. It happened during rainy conditions and luckily there were no vehicles nearby or I may have struck one of them. At least once per day the vehicle does this at some capacity. No service lights or check engine lights are present.
ASTON MARTIN
DB9
(2014) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Apr 17, 2023
Incident date: Jan 26, 2023
every time while driving at highway speed with cruise control enabled the car will decelerate or brake hard without anything in our path of travel for as far as the eye can see. this is a safety issue as the cars behind us may not be able to react fast enough to avoid hitting as our car brakes without cause.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
Was traveling northbound on I5 between Lacey and Dupont, Washington. Vehicle was in cruise at 65, then it suddenly went into limp mode. I was in the furthest right lane possible on the highway, and RPMs drastically dropped to below 1,000. I was able to get the vehicle pulled over to the right shoulder safely while the vehicle dropped to approximately 10mph on the freeway. The vehicle died as soon ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2023
I was driving the vehicle normally down the highway. When I exited the highway, I came to a stop light and made a complete stop at which point the engine stalled. I restarted the vehicle, the check engine light appeared, but I couldn’t get it to register any RPMs and I was left stranded in a busy intersection until help arrived.
Incident date: Dec 5, 2022
1997 Ford F150, had recall 25527072 05S28 performed in March of 2006. The switch installed as part of the recall has failed and brake fluid has leaked from the switched and the harness. It is not apparent that the switch is leaking until the harness connector is removed from the switch. The integrity of the brake system is compromised and the previous recall was for fires because of brake fluid... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle accelerated independently. While attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated over the parking block. The bumper was detached. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to an ind... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2022
Truck was repaired June 2019. They welded the jam nut which made it impossible to get an alaignment.Been having a open claim with Chrysler Jeep and Dodge going on 2 years per claim #78469040 Front Suspension Track Bar Frame Bracket ( vehicle recently started to do the death wobble again)
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2017) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Apr 17, 2023
Incident date: Apr 3, 2023
4/16/2023 Sunday 5pm With my wife and daughter in the car, I started the vehicle in my driveway and selected Sport mode as usual. Selected reverse and backed into our turnaround then forward to the end of our driveway. Driveway is approximately 4 car lengths long with a 20 ft long apron turnaround. Almost immediately after braking at the end of the driveway while waiting for passing traffic to e... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLC 300
(2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Apr 16, 2023
Incident date: Nov 6, 2022
08 Apr 2023 vehicle hit a pot hole and we almost went into ditch when it began to wobble uncontrollably. We were traveling on the hwy and almost caused an accident to the vehicles behind us. Very frightening. 16 Apr 2023, hit a small pot hole vehicle began to wobble uncontrollably, took us again almost into the ditch. It occurred four more times trying to get home from airport. We scared traveli... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2023
I pulled up into my grandma's driveway, put the car in park. The car continued moving forward and when I depressed the brake pedal, the car accelerated for some unknown reason. So I put both feet on the brake and it still continued to accelerate. My car crashed into my grandparents garage door, then into their car, then pushed their car into their washer and dryer, causing those appliances to push... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 12, 2023
New Tesla Model Y brake failed and accelerated resulted in a serious crash within 2 hrs of taking delivery. I believe it is acceleration functioning and brake due to auto pilot feature. Vehicle will be available for inspection after 4 weeks. After taking delivery of new Tesla Y, we drove to temple. While parking car accelerated and lost control of the vehicle as brakes were not working. It hit... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 16, 2023
I have had several incidents of my car rapidly decelerating when in assisted driving mode and I am driving on the highway. I am driving at 65 and all of the sudden it decelerates, making it extremely dangerous. There are no apparent barriers or nearby objects causing this to happen. I am very concerned this will result in a significant accident. I have filed this claim previously without anyth... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2021
-I think there is known problem with the Tesla. It autoaccelrates o behaves like someone is taking ove the control fo the car - The inital problem happend on June 24th 2022. I was in the parking lot of my work when It felt like I had lost control of the car to hit 2 parked cars. It cost severe damage to front of the car. Car was in the workshop for 4 months. This was completely unanticipated.I ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 6, 2023
P0720 and P0500 on 2014 q60 80k
Incident date: Apr 13, 2023
Same fatal error I've been reporting for over 6 months and about 10 "OVER THE AIR UPDATES" Yes we all really 'NEEDED' more ways to make fart and poop sounds and open our rainbow LED [XXX] by voice command BUT WHAT ID REALLY LIKE IS FOR LITERALLY ANYONE IN ALL OF AMERICA TO DO THEIR JOB! Maybe if someone would do an investigation into to how much FRAUD there is at literally every level of Tesla fro... Read more
Crash
Fire
99 injured
99 deaths
Incident date: Feb 17, 2023
My abs, traction control, and my AWD service light all have been on making my car jump before I can accelerate and it then drives fine but today it would not allow me to go over 15MPH and all I could hear was grinding noises! This was the first time that has happened, I’ve replaced the wheel sensors, bearings, and all new tires it turned off for a couple months but now is back on! This is a huge... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2023
It seems like my transmission kicked out on me in the middle of a busy intersection. Now my car is stuck at work while I figure out where to take it and how to pay for transmission repairs.
Incident date: Mar 7, 2023
My first complaint is that my car stalls as I am actively driving. Whether I am using cruise control or physically pressing the gas pedal, the car just stalls out and I lose control of all steering function & have to try to get to the shoulder before I get slammed into on the highway. This happens at least twice weekly, all hours of the day or night, regardless of the weather or how much gas is in... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2023
The vehicle has a lag that keeps it from properly accelerating from a stop, it also seems like there might be an issue with the transmission because the vehicle will jerk back and forth when letting off of the gas like it is a manual transmission but it is an automatic transmission. It seems like the vehicle never knows what gear it should be in.
Incident date: Apr 6, 2023
The car can slow down suddenly in the middle of traffic even if I accelerate. The engine has a problem according to the mechanics who was trying to fix my car twice without succes. The car does not hold coolant liquid for more than 15 minutes. It looks like the coolant is staying somewhere in the engine. It overheats too. Yes the car is available for inspection upon request. It's a high risk beca... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2023
On multiple occasions, my 2022 Fiat, while cruising at 55 mph, crests a hill and begins down when the engine increases from 2000 rpm to 4200 rpm and speed increases 9-10 mph almost immediately. A driver is caught unaware and must brake back to the normal speed limit. No other vehicle I’ve driven has done this and no current vehicle I own does this. Unless braking occurs, a driver could easily hi... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2018
The Transmissions in these vehicles are junk and very dangerous. I was driving out of town and all of a sudden the RPM´s started revving up. Then I tried to slow down and pull over and the vehicle did not want to down shift and it stalled on the highway with traffic. This is not the first time the transmission went out on the same vehicle. I had a hard time finding a transmission to put in and wh... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2023
ABS TRACTION CONTROL VECHICLE INFO SCREEN SERVICE ABS SYSTEM EBS SYSTEM SERVICE HAVE HAD THE VECHICL FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES BY DEALERSHIP FIXED TEMPORARILY THAN ALL THE ALARMS GO BACK ON AFTER A SHORT TIME ITS BEEN FIXED MULTIPLE TIME PROBLEM ALWAYS RETURNS
Incident date: Apr 13, 2023
Car will accelerate when pressing on brakes. Once car is able to turn off, the problem does not repeat. This has occurred at least 3 times with the same car and random times while on the road. Dealership is unable to replicate the brake issue every time the car is brought in.
Incident date: Apr 12, 2023
My 2019 Elantra has stalled while in motion 5 separate times since 15 November 2022. My warranty claims are based on a defect in the vehicle’s material or workmanship that is covered by the Hyundai New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of 5 years from date of original retail delivery and 60,000 miles. Why I believe the problems are the responsibility of the manufacturer: This began 15 Novembe... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2023
I went to put car in park and when it was in park I was still getting shift to park alert on dashboard. With this alert I was unable to turn off the vehicle. After about 30 minutes the first time it happened I was able to get it to acknowledge the car was in park by moving my car around parking lot and shifting from drive to park. The next day it happened again but this time I had to jiggle the sh... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2023
#3 & #5 fuel injector failing while driving, separate instances, 2 months apart, causing severe loss of power and inability to control speed
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
My 2022 Pacific Hybrid Limited stalled today while heading towards the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Luckily, I had enough momentum to make it to the shoulder. I've had it since late December and it has 3900 miles. It started with this whine for 10 miles prior to the stall, similar to the fake whine EV cars make to warn pedestrians. Then I hit a patch of traffic that dropped my speed to less than 10 mph... Read more
Incident date: Apr 12, 2023
I know I am not the only one that thinks this is a bad problem, in fact I have not met a person that has owned this era of Dodge Ram that has their Dashboard and the whole parts inside can have been falling apart. Mine has fallen and hit my legs and or lap. Now I don’t mean the whole dash at one time but I have glued, taped and put a dash pad over top to try to keep things from falling into the ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2018) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Apr 12, 2023
Incident date: Apr 12, 2019
Around 3:54 PM EST, I was traveling on US 1 Route 1 North Bound, and I tried to turn right into Target Complex (4196 US-1, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852) from Route 1. I slowed down to turn into the complex, and my vehicle had Sudden Unintended Acceleration while I am turning into a parking location. It jumped over the curbs and hit a tree. Airbags got deployed, and the car was damaged badly. Insur... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
HCU antilock traction control unit, warning lights on.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2023
SUDDEN AND TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. THERE WAS WARNING, NO ENGINE LIGHT AND THERE ARE NO CODES TO DIAGNOSE. THIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING HAZARD AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND NOT DISMISSED BY FORD. SOME SAY IT COULD BE SEVERAL SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM BUT THE MAIN SOLUTION HAS BEEN THE THROTTLE POSITION SWITCH AND THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AN... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2013) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Apr 12, 2023
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
Upon acceleration onto highway or up a hill the car at times will rev and not shift or move /increase speed. Getting onto the highway I have had to pull into the shoulder until vehicle snaps out of it and decides to shift. Extremely dangerous & happening more often than not now.
Incident date: Apr 11, 2023
The vehicle will lose power at high altitudes. I will push the gas pedal all the way down and the RPMs do not move nor does the vehicle move. This has left me in dangerous situations at intersections. I have spoken with a Mercedes dealer in Denver and they have multiple reports of this problem. The vehicle only has 1800 miles and this has happened multiple times at altitude.
Incident date: Apr 4, 2023
At low rate of speed, while parking vehicle accelerated without warning and damaged 3 cars . This happened previously with separate family drivers without damage. This is a serious defect and could potentially cause serious injury or death. This was not driver error. the car lurched forward with absolutely no gas pedal involvement. The previous times it happened at a stoplight with enough room ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 11, 2023
ABS system and Cruise Control cut out on my truck constantly when I’m driving. My brakes have locked up while I was driving in the rain almost causing me to wreck. I’ve seen other people having issues with this and their HCU units in these year trucks. Ram refuses to help me.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2023
On a multi day drive across the country I had multiple episodes of automatic breaking while on autopilot and using Traffic aware cruise control. In all instances there were no vehicles in either lane ahead of my vehicle. Braking episodes did not result in an accident but made the features essentially unusable.
Incident date: Apr 10, 2023
I was on a 3000 mile road trip over multiple interstates (including I-35, I-90, and I-80), and while the adaptive cruise control was engaged, the car would abruptly and aggressively brake when no other cars or obstacles were in the area. This would often be a 30mph deceleration before I could disengage cruise control and take over. This happened repeatedly, in multiple states, and in different wea... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2023
Well I went to start my car after getting gas and it would not start after a few mins it started , but it was trying to lunge forward even though it was in park , after I finally got it going went home and the whole time I smelled gas in my car ? Then I pulled in my driveway and the check engine light was on , had my brother in law do a digital scan on my car and it had PO456 evaporated emissions... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2014) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Apr 10, 2023
Incident date: Dec 15, 2022
I was using cruise control on high speed road. I depressed brake and turned onto a slower road. I continued for about a hundred yards and when I tried to come to a full stop by depressing the brake the car seemed to be trying to accelerate and I was barely able to bring the car to a stop. As I stopped the engine cut off. A similar incident occurred the day before. I took car to dealer and afte... Read more