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: Feb 2, 2023
Financed for a 2015 Hyundai Tucson at Byrider. On February 25th 2023. Check engine light flashing as I'm losing power unable to stay within speed limit at 40mph. Byrider service asked me to bring it in. I did. They called me back and hour later told me to come get the vehicle and take it to Hyundai. I told them I didn't feel safe driving the vehicle it was hard enough getting the vehicle to them o... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
**I have made the dealership aware of the ongoing situation as well as Honda Corporate but I am waiting on a call back.* A month ago, I had my car on cruise control going around 76mph on flat land. After a while, while driving on flat land, my RPM's shot up to almost 6000 and the speed got up to 88mph in less than 10 seconds. I pulled over, shut the car off so I could calm down before driving aga... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
I received a notice of recall on the ABS for my Hyundai Santa Fe 2014 Sport. My ABS light recently illuminated, I went to the Hyundai site to make an appt. I was given one a week out, while waiting for the appt my brake lights wouldn’t turn off unless I disconnected the battery. I took the vehicle to the dealership in Brevard Fl, the guy kept trying to upsell me $180 for diagnostics and that I h... Read more
Incident date: Mar 7, 2023
Periodically while using cruise control, most often on toll lanes with a different speed limit than the non-toll lanes, the car slows down rapidly and unpredictably. There are no warnings, and the braking is can be quite considerable (10-15 mph). This only happens when using cruise control.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the recall repair performed on my 2015 Hyundai Tucson on October 5th, 2022. I have received numerous letters from Hyundai regarding an open recall and finally received a notice stating the remedy was ready. I scheduled an appointment with Matthews Hyundai of Syracuse and took the vehicle for the recall. Unfortunately, after taking the vehicle back to ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2023
The car is currently in the shop at Jim Shorkey Gainesville Kia and is available for inspection. They have contacted me to tell me the transmission/engine failed. I was driving on interstate when I suddenly lost the ability to accelerate and was forced to get off of the highway. After coming to a complete stop I pressed on the gas pedal but the car would still not accelerate. I tried putting into... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2018) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 8, 2023
Incident date: Jan 26, 2023
We were driving at 75 mph in the left lane when our car suddenly dropped in speed to 40 mph as though the transmission had dropped into neutral. There were no warning lights or any indication about what was happening. We were in heavy traffic, with trucks and car hitting their brakes. This could have caused a very serious accident. We managed to move our car to the right shoulder. The car's transm... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
Driving down the freeway, the vehicle lost response to the throttle and transmission resulting in no ability to safely move off the road and needing to coast to the shoulder. A wrench icon on the dash appeared along with an engine light which stayed illuminated and was reading a p0720 error code (Output shaft speed sensor). This occurred twice while going freeway speeds, and once at city street ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2023
Jan. 2023 my coolant pump had blockage which caused the coolant hose to break and discharge coolant all over my engine and overheat. I have the repair receipt from Audi Dealer and requested a copy of the inspection report from them. Pictures also attached. I also have my car at the Audi dealer as we speak due to a week later the car would not accelerate properly with a Drive System Malfunction er... Read more
Incident date: Feb 19, 2023
The first incident occurred when I drove into a parking space, applied the brakes, and the car suddenly sped forward, so I had to repeatedly jam on the brakes to make the car stop. Fortunately, no person or vehicle was directly in front of me. In the past week, we have experienced problems with the ADAS. We were backing into a parking space at night and made contact with a parked car. Our car ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2023
My throttle got stuck open four times and the last time I almost lost my life and was in an accident. This is a known issue on the dodge forums but dodge refuses to call this defective and make it a recall. This is dangerous it could have killed me and others. There were no warning the throttle was going to go on its own.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 4, 2023
This is happening to my car. Would like them to fix it . Manufacture defect and it is a huge safety issue. Effect pedal function. Some customers may comment on an intermittent malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) being Illuminated with a message or an indicator that displays Reduced Engine Power. The technician may observe on a scan tool DTC P2138 - Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 1-2 Correla... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2020
The acceleration stopped, the lightening light, traction light and skid light all came on and would not accelerate. Car was on but no gas pedal in the middle of the highway. Oil was changed a week before and no leaks on ground but oil is low. It is very dangerous as it has done this several times over the last month and has caused me to almost be in several wrecks because speed drops and cars almo... Read more
Incident date: Dec 14, 2021
On September 2022 (at 46K) Dealer did TSB related fix on my 2016 Prius. PFA for service record. They replaced Exhaust Front Pipe, which is suggested work from Toyota PFA for Toyota Technical Bulletin. T-SB-0135-19 At 51,747 on March 1st 2023 around 8 40 am, while we are driving on highway at 70 mph suddenly Check Engine Light, Coolant light, Hybrid related lights were on Vehicle lost the control,... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2019) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 7, 2023
Incident date: Mar 7, 2023
Collision avoidance system and cruise control become disabled when driving. For the first 3 months vehicle system worked fine, after that the collision avoidance system and cruise control would occasionally shut off when driving. Took it to the dealership out 5 months ago, they said there was no fix and wait for a recall. Since then it is occurring more often and we made another appointment for ne... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while at a stop with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that she rear-ended the vehicle in front as she turned the steering wheel to the left and landed in a ditch. No air bags deployed. The contact stated that she and her front... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
I purchased the car in April 2022. Did not have any issues until February 2023. Initially, the engine light came on with a turtle icon in the dash screen. I was driving and the car would not go over 45 mph. on a busy street . The car was hesitating badly and also said something about the propulsion? Volvo Ontario towed it from my business and supposedly fixed it. Fast forward the following w... Read more
Incident date: Feb 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at low speeds and attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle inadvertently went into reverse, then accelerated forward. The vehicle failed to stop and jumped the curb and abruptly stopped. There was an abnormal clacking noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and drove as designed. The... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while accelerating at an undisclosed speed, the RPM fluctuated and the engine revved; however, the vehicle failed to respond. No warning lights were illuminated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000. The VIN was unavailable.
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2018) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 7, 2023
Incident date: Mar 7, 2023
1. Vehicle accelerates on its own when shifting into drive and releasing the brake. 2.Vehicle lunges forward when the transmission is shifting from 1st to 2nd gear or 2nd to 3rd gear. This occurs in the lower gears only. 3. Doesn't shift into the next higher gear and the RPM's are running high which should activate a gear change but it doesn't occur. 4. The RPM's are increasing but there is very l... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2023
Hesitation, stuttering, and lack of power have plagued me since purchasing 2022. When I put my foot on the accelerator the car should go. My car decides to take a coffee break, then smoke break, then bathroom, another smoke break then decides to go.
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
My car has been losing power and randomly stalling for a while now. Today as I was driving it was happening more and then suddenly my brake pedal became hard as a rock, and the hill assist warning came up. It keeps stalling and will not remain running for longer than 2-3 minutes of being on. This almost caused me to ram several cars due to not being able to stop quickly enough. No lights came on o... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
Was driving at speed down the highway (70+MPH) for an extended period of time traveling around 1.5 hours and then acceleration started having issues. I wouldn’t change the pressure on the gas but the RPM gage would go up and down wildly although I hadn’t done anything and cause a jerky forward motion. This cued me that something was wrong. Then there was an accident up ahead which caused traff... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling in the McDonald’s drive-thru pickup line, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove over the curb causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and almost crashed into a wall. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
While driving on Highway 360 in Arlington, TX, the engine appeared to not change gears. It was between 3:30 to 4:00 PM, moderate traffic. I left HWY 360 and used the side lane. Later, the engine light came on. I checked the fluid levels and all were fine. This vehicle was last serviced in December 2022. The problem is unknown.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2016
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The contact immediately shifted into neutral (N). There was no warning light illuminated. The contact then shifted into drive (D) and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. The vehicle w... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
UNKNOWN We have only had this vehicle for approximately 4 months and have had soon many issues but the electrical system has been a problem non stop
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 6, 2023
Incident date: Jan 23, 2023
The car on multiple occasions while driving on the highway with either the cruise control or autopilot engaged, drastically brakes and slows down for no reason. These slowdowns are drastic and have occurred when there are no other cars or conditions to cause the response. The braking is so dramatic that it is unlikely that I could have intervened in time to prevent a trailing vehicle from potent... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 3500
(2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 6, 2023
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
The car auto-accelerates and the acceleration is very jerky. When you put the car in gear it accelerates without control. Too dangerous to drive in the city.
Incident date: Feb 14, 2023
At any rate of speed the vehicle stalls and looses power with no warning. No check engine lights or any indicator comes on until the vehicle is already in stall position.
MERCEDES-BENZ
E320
(2003) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 5, 2023
Incident date: Nov 19, 2022
Vehicle brakes suddenly while driving even when there are no cars or obstacles of any kind in front or even in the distance. This has led to several events where I was almost rear-ended because of how strongly and violently the car was breaking on the highway. Last example was on March 5th 2023 at 1:19 p.m. while driving on interstate 90 in Ohio going westbound, there were no cars in front or in t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
When it rains, the lights inside start flashing, it throws a check engine light and error messages about chasis control and braking system, the lights inside flicker, turnsignals and flashers stop working, the car goes into limp mode and you can't turn the car off .
Incident date: Feb 27, 2023
Traveling south on I 5in CA on 2/27, weather and road were clear, speed 70 MPH, the car suddenly ceased to maintain it's set speed and decelerated rapidly. at 70 MPH with vehicles right behind me closely following, this is safety hazard. Same problem on return trip home northbound on CA 101 - destination Brentwood, CA. Third occurrence was on CA 246 - same problems but at 60 MPH.
Incident date: Oct 11, 2022
Tesla recently pushed out a significant software update version 2023.2.12. Like a similar software upgrade last year, the upgrade wipes out all user profiles and rearranges control settings. The sudden change makes it hard to find simple and necessary control features of the car. The driver is significantly distracted trying to find where the new controls are. Some are hidden. Some are no longer ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
While driving the car it would pop up a message saying “ENGINE POWER REDUCED”. Today while driving it home it popped up with a message saying “STARTING DISABLED, SERVICE THROTTLE” and then the car wouldn’t drive and I had to pull over on the side of the road. For months now when I drive and accelerate at times the car would almost grind. I believe it has to do with the traction control ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
On several occaisions the vehicle has incorrectly detected an impending collision, disconnected the adaptive speed control and applied the brakes forcefully. On one occasion, it happened while driving in heavy slushy snow. Speed control wouldn't reengage. The dealer suggested cleaning off the Toyota logo in front and that resolved the problem. The other times the problem occured, the vehicle was... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2022
my car will stall randomly at stop signs and red lights with absolutely no warning. it’s super dangerous and has almost caused a wreck. i have taken it to mechanic and no codes are being thrown and it’s showing nothing is wrong. it’s a matter of time a accident happens and someone gets hurt. I would definitely like to figure this out!
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2018) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 3, 2023
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while starting the vehicle the PCM warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control) and that the contact had to pay out of pocket for all future repairs. The manufacturer was contacted bu... Read more
Incident date: Mar 3, 2023
The ABS and traction control light came on and the vehicle sometimes doesn’t want to stop. The ABS kicks in and it takes a while for it to stop. It’s been twice where the vehicle ends up stopping in the middle of the intersection. Luckily no one was in front of us or coming the other direction.
Incident date: Feb 11, 2023
I was driving my 2017 Nissan Altima SV, today on 3/3/23, and had just got on to a busy highway. I had my foot on the gas pedal trying to get to 60 mph. However, the car wouldn't accelerate past 40mph and was making a humming noise, even as I floored it. I looked to see if the car was in another gear but it was in drive. I had to pull the to slow lane and try to find a place to turn off. I cam... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2023
The ioniq 5 has a one pedal driving mode, where the car will come to a complete stop without needing to press the brake pedal, similar to other EV's. In this mode, the gas pedal operates differently then in a conventional car - pressing the pedal approximately 1/3 of the way down represents neutral, where the car coasts. Pressing the pedal less then that - between 1/3 and not pressing it at all,... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2022
A warning light comes on that there is a failure with the anti lock brakes and electronic braking system. The cruise control will also fail to work. When the roads where wet the other day, i was sliding to avoid hitting deer that began crossing the road. It took longer to stop than it should have. I'm concerned that living in Michigan with the inclement weather, it may cause a accident that coul... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2022
Upon trying to enter a slightly inclined parking space in a parking garage, as I was lightly pressing on the accelerator, the car suddenly accelerated (tires screeching) and hit the concrete half wall. No time to even brake properly as it happened so fast. I had noticed a lack in acceleration that morning driving to my destination. Thankfully no injuries.
Crash
VOLKSWAGEN
TAOS
(2023) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 2, 2023
Incident date: Mar 2, 2023
It seems like this is a common problem if you search "tesla phantom braking," which very obviously needs a solution. I commonly experience the phantom braking when there is a shadow like passing under a bridge. The car will slam on the brakes thinking the shadow is another car, which is obviously extremely dangerous especially on the highway. A simple solution would be to add a legacy cruise contr... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2017
I was driving in the fast/lane of the freeway, and suddenly the car flashed red "Electrical System Error" "Park Vehicle in Safe Place". The car immediately started to decellerate on its own and I didn't have time to go over to the right so had to move into the left shoulder of the freeway. I was stuck in the middle of the freeway, with cars driving fast coming around a bend of the freeway behind m... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and while idling, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The dashboard was shaking, and the glove box was rattling. While shifting from park to drive or reverse, the vehicle vibrated. Additionally, the vehicle was hesitating and misfiring during acceleration. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was n... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2023
Since full self driving, beta has been turned on my car no longer slows down when I reduce the speed or when it encounters a lower speed limit sign, which it will read the speed limit. Prior to this when I decrease the speed or it noticed a decrease speed limit sign. It would use regenerative braking to slow the vehicle down. Now it’ just coasts , and actually sometimes maintains power at a high... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2023
Abs/traction control lights come on and disconnects the cruise control dangerously wen pulling a trailer, code is c0020-01 this is a very common issue with these trucks parts unavailable, I’ve talk to many other owners with same issues please address the problem before someone gets hurt thanks.
MERCEDES-BENZ
CLK320
(2004) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 2, 2023
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
Car begin smoking out of the back took car to dealership car oil was low. Car dealership refilled oil and told me to come back after driving 1000 miles. Car began smoking again like it was going to catch on fire took car in was told the turbo boost failed. Dealership mention that the turbo boost was previously repaired and under warranty so they repaired it. Car started smoking again I took car to... Read more
Incident date: Sep 22, 2022
No compression in cylinder 3 due to oil drainage in spark plug panel caused Loss of motive power and Almost a wreck so to vehicle shutting down on the interstate . As I look I see that this is in investigation already and needs to be took into consideration as soon as possible if our lives really matter to Kia as your customers . So very sad how the engines and fuel systems are on kias