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 1, 2023
Clutch cable broke at 3300 miles , was serviced at 800 miles , could not shift to neutral . could have caused a wreak if i would have been in heavy traffic . looked on line for clutch cable problems and there are large amounts of riders that have had to replace multiple cables within short mileage ranges . reference www.indianmotorcycles.net/threads/clutch-cable-failure.351519/ , i am trying to ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact desperately depressed the brake pedal and was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted, and the mechanic stated that the failure was not a known failure. The manufacturer was not contact... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
At 200k miles I got an air bag light on my guage cluster. The blinking code corresponded to a bad connection at the CLOCKSPRING. I also noticed my cruise control and horn were also inoperable, also an indicator of a bad CLOCKSPRING. Ford part number 1l5z-14a664-ab is the replacement part and is currently unavailable, for the last 6 months. This part covers a few different models and has been exh... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2023
I was backing out of a parking spot, and there was a telephone poll behind me in my path. I needed to pull forward to navigate around this poll. After backing up some, I put the car into drive to pull slightly forward, and the car lurched aggressively, so much so that I got out to see if it'd caught on something. It did not -- there was absolutely nothing there. So I got back in and tried to conti... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 1, 2022
The Engine Light is on and when you first take off ,you can’t press the gas pedal as much as the engine start shaking
Incident date: Sep 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while the cruise control was engaged at approximately 86 MPH, the RPM increased and the vehicle inadvertently accelerated; however, the contact’s husband was able to disengage cruise control to slow down. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician determine... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2023
Car is has been having BCI Malfunction warning come up. This has happened numerous times since purchasing. It has been taken to the dealership multiple times for this issue. They have replaced brake switch sensors and even the battery and calibrated everything and the problem continues to persist. This has left us stranded on the side the road with the car not starting. It has caused sudden brakin... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2023
While I am driving it is hard shifting and idling high, sometimes it doesn't want to pick up speed when starting from a stop. The wheels locked up going down a off ramp. There are no warning lights or anything on the dash. I will have it checked Monday but this started out of the blue. I have had regular maintenance on the vehicle and have all my receipts for proof. This is a serious issue especia... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2023
I was driving my car on the way back from a trip, about an hour away. While driving about 70 MPH on the highway, my car started to feel like it was lurching forward, and the RPMs started shooting up and down uncontrollably. I tried to write it off as faulty cruise control or the shoes I was wearing, so I switched both of these things. Finally, the RPM shot up to 7000 without warning or cause. I dr... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2011) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 12, 2023
Incident date: Feb 12, 2023
The Traffic-Aware Cruise Control has been braking unexpectedly and for no valid reason. The most recent example was when we were driving along US Hwy 24 between Wilkerson Pass and Fairplay, CO. The car suddenly braked even though there was no hazard. This has been happening regularly on this drive, in both directions, multiple times per drive. When this happens, the road is generally straight,... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2023
While on regular cruise control (not autopilot), our Model X will abruptly decelerate. This has happened before. Usually on highways I. Road trips.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2023
I had trouble with the cluster display periodically going out. It would come back on after restarting the car. This happened 2 or 3 times. Then, it went out and never came on. This started with 40,000 miles on it. When it to the dealer they tried an “ipc” reset on it with no change. They tried a “hard” reset with no luck. They disconnected and reconnected both batteries, again with n... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2019
When driving with autopilot engaged, the vehicle sometimes gives alerts even when there is no vehicle or obstacle in its path. Immediately once the driver takes control, the autopilot does not disengage but continue as usual. The autopilot suddenly brakes or slows down even when there is no obstacle on a freeway.
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
Unwanted acceleration happen more the 5 to 6 times. While driving in highway exit ramp my vehicle lurched forward while I was trying to slowdown. Dealership had the vehicle for more than 2 days and unable to duplicate the issue. Currently Toyota dealership informed they don't any know issues or condition like this. I am not very confident in driving this vehicle due to this experience.
Incident date: Jan 28, 2023
Vehicle will not go out of 3rd gear when on the interstate. The vehicle will go pass the redline and hit the fuel cut off and will not accelerate. Have to slow the car down and attempt to speed up again. Vehicle has almost been in accident multiple times due to almost being rear ended because can not get the vehicle up to speed.
Incident date: Nov 21, 2022
Front drive shaft, chain sprocket ‘Nut/lock washer’ has came loose and fell off on the highway. Could have locked the chain around the wheel and cause a major crash, also could have severely damaged the engine casing. It damaged the rear swing arm and a piece piece near the stater. I replaced the nut & locking washer tab, exact replacement only To have the same issue just I didn’t allow it t... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN
(2023) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 10, 2023
Incident date: Feb 8, 2023
When I am stopped the vehicle routinely lurches as I touch the gas. I’ve complained to the dealer about it and they can’t reproduce the problem. It does lurch for my husband also. It hasn’t caused any injuries or damage, so far.
Incident date: Feb 10, 2023
Check engine light came on after vehicle starting losing power in steering column. Speedometer was moving up and down with some other gauges doing the same simultaneously. The vehicle provided warning of stabilitrak after dismissed, it gave another warning stating, “Steering Assist is Reduced Drive with Care.” It became harder to accelerate and very distracting as the stabilitrak error continu... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2012) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 9, 2023
Incident date: Feb 9, 2023
While entering interstate accelerator was depressed all the way and became stuck on a couple of occasions. I had to use my foot to release it and it popped out. Dealership recommended it was floor mat. I purchased aftermarket ridged floor mats that will not curl up and it is still an issue.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 9, 2023
Incident date: Feb 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was intermittently decelerating and was unable to accelerate to exceed 42 MPH, despite depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact made a local dealer aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made awar... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2021
While driving the vehicle started to accelerate in its own. There was nothing obstructing the pedal. I could press down on brake with some resistance, but as soon as brake was released the, the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle did not level out with speed but continued to accelerate over 80 mph. This lasted about 8/9 mins, being controlled by riding on the break. It did it again for about 2/3 mins... Read more
Incident date: Jan 30, 2023
2018 RAM 2500, both the hydraulic control unit and the anti-lock brake system module had to be replaced with only 46,000 miles. I would get a warning to "Service Electronic Breaking System while going highway speed with the cruise control on. Once I receive the warning, it would disengage the cruise control without any notice. That is very scary and dangerous.
HYUNDAI
SANTA CRUZ
(2023) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 9, 2023
Incident date: Feb 9, 2023
The start/stop technology works from time to time. Example. At a complete stop icon appears and show’s technology off- the device is NOT off. At times the technology will engage at a complete stop then suddenly turns off with in seconds. At times when this device is on one can hear a rattling noise. When leaving from a complete stop and applying the gas petal lightly the vehicle jumps/hop roughl... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2022
This began in November of 2022 as an Intermittent concern. At first, it appeared that I could temporally correct by pulling over completely shutting off the truck and re-starting (re-booting) but is rapidly becoming worse and today (02/09/2023) became untenable, no matter what I did; the speedometer would not work or behaved erratically for brief periods; the information center display disappeare... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2023
COMPONENT- CRUISE CONTROL CUTOUT SWITCH RECALL# 05S28. PERFORMED REPAIRED ON 6 JUNE 2006. CALLED MY DEALERSHIP REGARDING THIS RECALL, THEY ADAMANTLY REFUSE TO PERFORM A REPAIR ON MY VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY VEHICLE REPAIR HISTORY SHOWS NO OPEN RECALLS. HOWEVER AN SUPPLEMENTAL ORDER ORDER#16 WAS ISSUED SOMETIME IN 2016 BY FORD REGARDING THIS SAME MATTER STATED THAT THE REPAIRS PERFORMED DO... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
When coming to a stop the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated making it very difficult to stop. I had to put the vehicle in neutral and turn off the engine. When I restarted the vehicle, the problem no longer existed and has not happened since but this problem could easily cause an accident, resulting in one or more injuries. Have not had the vehicle inspected and likely won't, unless... Read more
Incident date: Dec 17, 2022
I have been experiencing the same issues with the high temperature warning as mentioned for the 2019-2021 Jeep Compass. If this occurs at higher speeds, I am able to release the accelerator, and coast for 2-3 seconds, which allows the temp to show back to normal, and continue normal driving conditions. If this occurs as I begin accelerating from a stop, the car will stall, requiring me to put the ... Read more
THOR MOTOR COACH
WINDSPORT
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 8, 2023
Incident date: Oct 15, 2022
The vehicle would down shift aggressively into first gear. The speedometer and gear displays would not function showing 0mph while driving. The vehicle would move through gears erratically. Driver and passengers would be jerked forward.The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Ford dealer. There were no indicator lights at the start of the issue. Indicator light appeared after multiple incid... Read more
Incident date: Feb 7, 2023
I called my home Nissan yesterday to get the information about my recalls on my car that I was not aware of after the State Troopers helped me get my cat to a safe location. I was told that there are recalls on the car (and was never notified) I called where it was originally bought from a Nissan Dealership and they gave me several recall codes as I was stranded in the freezing cold with my babies... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2021
Sometimes when I am driving on any road flat, incline, up a hill/mountain trying to merge into traffic/pass a vehicle. I think I covered all of the situations. There is a DRAMATIC LOSS OF POWER or a PLAY or SOMETHING where I have to push the accelerator all the way to the FLOOR in order for it to get gas or gain speed to pass or to accomplish the task at hand. My 2020 HR-V only has a little over 1... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2023
While slowly pulling into a parking slot in a Wal-Mart parking lot, the car experienced an abrupt acceleration causing it to lurch forward at full throttle and it struck a parked vehicle in the next space. The accelerator pedal was not depressed. Upon investigation I discovered that there have been many reported incidents of this behavior with Subaru Imprezas, Foresters, Outbacks and Legacy sedans... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 25, 2022
The forward collision warning stopped working several months ago. We gave the (leased) car to the dealer for repairs after 4 weeks of waiting (parts, etc.) We were told the car was fixed and ready for pick-up. I drove it from Baltimore to DC for a meeting and on several occassions when car stopped abruptly in front of me on the highway it did not give a warning, when I tried using cruise control... Read more
FORD
TRANSIT CONNECT
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 7, 2023
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
I have owned the car for 2 months. For the 3rd time while pulling out into traffic the car refused to accelerate like it was having trouble with transmission(this made it dangerous for me pulling into busy traffic) For 10 to 20 seconds it would not accelerate and then finally it would operate as normal. The last time it happened when it kicked into gear the car jumped and it made a loud noise. ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the safety hazard warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was making abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not m... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that she received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the floor mats were replaced; however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed and after the accelerator pedal was released, the brake pedal was ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2022
The car lost all motive power on 3 separate occasions on Saturday, Feb 4, 2023. The car is currently at the dealership and we've been told the transmission needs to be replaced. Our family's safety was put at risk as well as the drivers around us. We easily could have be rear ended when when we were on the freeway and lost the ability to accelerate. When we lost power each time we had to navig... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2023
The ABS, VSC/traction control, and brake system warning lights all came on at the same time in my 2010 Toyota Prius. I almost lost control of my car's braking ability. Afterwards, the hybrid system does not perform its regenerative braking/recharging any longer. And the cruise control mode doesn't work also. The DTC from the OBD2 port is C1391 - abnormal leak in the brake fluid accumulator. I f... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
I've had it looked at by a Kia dealership and they said I let it run out of oil and burned up my engine. My ASC warranty won't cover it. I had no idea. I've got proof from Valvoline where I always get my oil changes and proves I did it regularly. I had no oil leak signs on the pavement. Your recall #SC210 which I just found out about talks about exactly what happened to me. I really don't think ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 2, 2023
Sudden powertrain failure. Car started to decelerate on its own. The car started to vibrate when accelerator was pressed. Car was in high speed and could have stalled and the passengers could have been killed. Hyundai has refused to honor the powertrain warranty and has attributed the entire transmission failure to bad gas which is very very unlikely. Have contacted Hyundai USA and got no substant... Read more
Incident date: Jan 26, 2023
unexplained acceleration. I was in a parking lot and driving slowly and the car just took off. I had to crash it into the building at the mall to avoid cars and people. The car was totaled and my husband had a broken rib. We were taken to the hospital. Car was inspected and serviced. by the dealership, no problems before this accident, no warnings.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Ford E-450. The contact stated that while driving after a cold start at approximately 2 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The rear wheels were spinning and smoking was detected. The driver depressed the brake pedal but the trailer fishtailed and crashed into a parked Toyota Venza Hybrid. There were no reported injuries, fire or air bag deployment. A po... Read more
Crash
LAND ROVER
DEFENDER
(2021) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 6, 2023
Incident date: Feb 3, 2023
The contact owned a 2011 Land Rover LR4. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently and the brake pedal was depressed in order to regain control. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. On a separate occasion, the contact stated that while driving approximately at 3 MPH into a parking garage, the vehicle accelerat... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
On 2/3/2023 I started my vehicle like normal drove approximately 2 miles to the store , during the drive my the vehicle was accelerating uncontrollably, more than I was driving normally. I then hit the brakes and it did slow down . Upon arriving to my destination I then tried to park my vehicle and applied the brakes and my vehicle kept accelerating and moving I then placed the car in reverse whic... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle was slow to accelerate. The driver was able to pull over. The check engine warning light was flashing on and off. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the vehicle had experienced transmission failure. The ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2023
Multiple safety issues with truck #1 When driving & using cruise control (CC) at 60 mph & truck is at that speed (60 mph) truck is moving from top speed to E coast mode. Immediately RPM is down (from 1250 to 600) & steering wheel is much harder b/c reduced power from engine . Response time for driver to avoid potential hazardous situations on the road (i.e. animals, rocks, trees, etc.) is longer ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
While driving in stop and go traffic this morning (02/06/2023), at approximately 8:45 am, my Hyundai Elantra began accelerating on it's own. I applied the brakes and the car behaved as though I slammed on the brakes. The acceleration and braking issues happened multiple times during this drive. After the first incident, I shifted the car into neutral, (when it happened subsequently) until it qui... Read more
HYUNDAI
ELANTRA HYBRID
(2021) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 6, 2023
Incident date: Feb 6, 2023
RE: Colorado State Patrol Case #[XXX] Fremont County Case #[XXX] Agency ORI #[XXX] VIN #[XXX] NHTSA SAFETY RECALL #18V332000 (May 23, 2018) Also referred to as #U61 Dodge Ram Campaign #U53 (October 1, 2018) Dear NHTSA Officer: On June 12, 2021, at approximately 4PM, my sister [XXX]was KILLED while riding her motorcycle along with her pleasure motorcycle group. ... Read more
Crash
1 deaths
Incident date: Jun 12, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate and stalled. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle drove as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a claim was submit... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2023
Cruise control thinks it detects a pending collision and abruptly brakes. Following cars almost rear ended us. This happens every time at exactly the same bridge overpasses on the NJ Garden State Parkway south.
Incident date: Feb 4, 2023
Speedometer. Instrument cluster which also houses the digital SPEEDOMETER intermittent blacking out. Inability to know how fast vehicle is traveling. Yes, problem has been reproduced by an independent service center. No warning lamps, no warning messages.