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
Incident date: Sep 7, 2022
Intermittent loss/delay of acceleration power from a stop. When coming out of a stop, pressing the gas pedal warrants no response except the slow creep that occurs just as a result of lifting off the brake. This has happened a handful of times when trying to accelerate from being stopped at a red light. The problem occurs intermittently and I never know when to expect it. The most recent time thi... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2022
When I was merging on the fwy my car accelerated and I couldn’t slow it down. I had to get off the fwy and break really hard. Driving on the fwy and not being able to control the speed or breaks could of caused an accident or cost us our lives. I have an appointment with the dealer service center on Sept 20, 2022. A few weeks ago I noticed the car was having trouble sifting gears.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2018
Adaptive cruise and speed control were intermittently operating eventually resulting in a defective system. No resolution at this time
HYUNDAI
SANTA CRUZ
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Sep 17, 2022
Incident date: Sep 17, 2022
Driving at 60 mph. Car stopped responding to accelerator. I was forced to pull off the road. Not a safe situation due to traffic. Turned off car and restarted. The car would then accelerate normally.. There was an error logged stating that " A possible condition with your Engine Control Module has been detected. A full system check is recommended to be done soon. Please consult your your local de... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2022
08/27/22 3:37 pm While driving on I25 north to Wheatland WY at 80 mph the adaptive cruise control slammed on the brakes. The weather was sunny, there were no other cars within sight in front of the Tesla or to the rear and the pavement was dry. Thinking there must be something that hit a sensor I resumed the journey. The same braking malfunction occurred two more times so I pulled into a rest area... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2019
While driving car, speed decelerated despite pressing on gas/accelerator pedal. Total ability to control speed on high way ended, as car crawled to a speed of under 5mph, nearly resulting in being hit by vehicles behind me. Immediately called independent mechanic who advised me to cut off ignition and restart the car. Highly dangerous to even attempt on a highway during rush hour traffic, nearl... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Sep 17, 2022
Incident date: Sep 17, 2022
For the 3rd time attempting to pass other vehicles our transmission revved up to almost 5000 rpms and would not shift after making a huge clunking sound into an obviously to low gear. We had no power and the vehicle would not accelerate. I do have a video after the clunk sound but can't upload it.
Incident date: May 1, 2021
My car has been broken for over a year now. It has been to the dealership for the main engine wiring harness part number 19115750 which is unique to the 2005 and 2006 corvette. The failure causes several different problem. It keeps the TCM from which is the traction control module which adjust speed and traction to the wheels which is design to help drivers keep their cars under control. With... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2022
I purchased the car new in January 2021. During the first several months there were no issues. After that, the "Infotainment" system which controls the sound, nav, hvac, etc. systems would suddenly go black and those functions would stop working. It would seem to reboot as a computer does when you restart it. That was distracting but mostly just annoying, lasting less than 30 seconds. I will ... Read more
HYUNDAI
SANTA CRUZ
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Sep 16, 2022
Incident date: Sep 16, 2022
Hyundia Santa Cruz was purchased Aug of 2021 and it has 5,655 miles on it. After making a stop, sometimes the Santa Cruz does not want to accelerate when pressing down on the accelerator pedal. While pushing more on the accelerator pedal to make the vehicle move, after a second or three elapses while still pressing on the accelerator will cause the vehicle to suddenly lurch forward at a rate o... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2022
I rented a Tesla model three and have driven 5000 miles on it since I got it three weeks ago. In that time this car has done some very dangerous things that concern me about my safety. I stopped using the auto pilot function after one time when it tried to pull me off the road at highway speeds into the emergency lane. I have also started experiencing the phantom braking issue that you read about ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2022
Like many other Jeep Patriot owners, I have experienced driving down the road when out of nowhere, the car dies! Mechanics keep telling people that either the camshaft position sensor or the crankshaft position sensor needs to be replaced...... It's a temporary fix. The code that comes up says that the sensor is intermittent. It's not the sensor that's the problem, it's the wiring connectors!!! Th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2022
We have an ongoing issue with our Model 3 stopping for no reason at speed when using cruise-control or auto-pilot. We have had the car in for service at Kearney Mesa and the “manager” observed it happen. But nobody gets back to us and nobody knows anything. The car suddenly brakes for no reason. This happened multiple times. Including once with the “service manager” in the car. Answers b... Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2022
I am renting this Tesla Model 3 on monthly basis Rental from Hertz. ON SEP 5TH, 2022 I was at a stop sign fully stopped and all of a sudden the car started accelarating by itself. I try to call Tesla about it and their answer was as I am not the owner they won't even talk to me. I tried to call Hertz but their Customer Service no available just in a circle of press this and press that for hours..... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2022
This motorcycle continues to go into "Limp Mode". This has happened now two times with no explanation from the manufacture as to why. The bike will lose engine power and immediately drop to speeds no higher than 55mph. This was advised to dealer and they were very familiar with this, and initially told me the repairs were denied by BRP, but that they covered the issue and fixed it. Less than 1 ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2022
My vehicle dashboard says Engine Power reduced - slowing to 35. This has happened to me before and I know that it starts slowing down quickly and then just stops, so I pulled of to the side of the road and put on my flashers, turned off my car and waited for several minutes and then it was back to normal. I've reported this before. This is extremely dangerous on a regular road and it could be c... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2022
While driving at posted speeds on open highway and in congested work zones, this F-150 experienced an Electronic Throttle Body failure 5 times between Rochester Hills, MI and Granger, IN on 9/13/2022. It happened again on 9/14/2022 in city two way traffic with no shoulder. In each incident, the vehicle went into limp mode with rough idle and had to be completely stopped, turned off and restarted... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2022
On Wednesday, 8/24/2022 around 1:30pm, when I tried to park my Tesla Model 3 on a residential street, suddenly and without any warning the steering wheel lost control, accelerated, made a right and then a left turn, hit an electric box and landed on the neighbor's driveway. No one else was injured, only myself with severe back pain and I could not move. Several neighbors came out of their house ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 12, 2022
I was driving on a stretch of I-15 in Utah using the traffic aware cruise control when the car suddenly applied the brakes by itself. I was traveling at approximately 80mph when this happened. Scared me half to death. I wasn't sure what happened and thought it was just an anomaly. Later I was using the auto pilot traffic aware cruise control feature and the same thing happened. That's when I ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Sep 14, 2022
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
The Driver Assistance feature of the car shuts down due to a Software error. It will eventually reset if the car is parked and turned off for a duration of 30 to 60 minutes. Some users have reported that the error does not clear without disconnecting the 12v battery. Problem first appeared in the id.4 2021 models in the summer of 2021. VW has issued a software correction for the vehicle in Eu... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2022
During recent drive from the Kansas City area to downtown Denver over the period of September 11-12, I experienced what's known as "phantom braking" no fewer than five times along I-70. At least one of these instances was so aggressive that it slowed the car down from 77mph to 60mph. This is an extremely dangerous situation that must be addressed by Tesla ASAP. Someone is going to die.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
My vehicle was slowing down and was halfway into a parking spot. Then, it suddenly accelerated, jumped over commercial parking blocks, and ended up stopping after hitting a wall. My brake was not working at that moment. I initially reported it to Hyundai USA (as a dealership doesn't seem to consider this a serious issue at all), but decided not to let them investigate on their end based on their s... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 13, 2022
Unexpected phantom braking occurring randomly but on multiple occasions during a 2000 mile multi day trip. Several incidents of a hiccup resulting on a jolt but at least three incidents of rapid and sudden deceleration without an observed corresponding hazard. Occurred a couple times while cresting a hill on single and multi lane roads. One severe incident occurred while passing a semi truck on a ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2022
While driving on a highway at about 60 mph, my vehicle made a loud grinding noise while the steering felt very difficult to control and then the VSC TRAC and TRAC OFF lights both came on. I got off the highway and pulled over to a parking lot to inspect the vehicle, but I did not see anything that would cause the vehicle to do that. After a few minutes, I restarted the vehicle and while driving ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2022
At least 7 times I have come across the same Safety issue, where I had to accelerate on to the highway and as I placed my foot o foot pedal. My vehicle wouldn't accelerate as if the engine and transmission were not communicating together. I had several vehicles follow very close to me from behind. I placed my hazard lights on. I even placed my foot all the way down to the floor panel and there ... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2020
I was driving down the freeway at about 67 MPH when the message "Traction Control Disabled" came on my display & the car immediately went into "limp mode"! By some miracle I was able to muscle the car out of the slow lane, onto the shoulder as I lost my power steering once in limp mode. I waited a few minutes, car started up just fine, so I shrugged it off. Fast forward 1 week later & the same thi... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 20, 2022
Even on a perfectly dry road, the cruise control can't be set and the traction control light comes on. The nearest dealer (75 miles away) said it was likely in need of a new brake light switch. That didn't solve the problem. Now, it is beyond the fact that the brake lights stay on whether the car is running or not. The brake light switch is clearly impacting various other functions and makes the ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
When accelerating onto the interstate the traction control engages without a warning light. It occurs on dry pavement. The acceleration is not excessive and there is no loss of traction. The traction control disengages when the accelerator pedal is released.
VOLKSWAGEN
TAOS
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Sep 13, 2022
Incident date: Aug 14, 2022
In some cases when attempting to propel the vehicle from a stop or slow roll to a quicker state of acceleration, response to pressing the pedal down to accelerate is delayed enough to potentially cause a dangerous situation. Once the vehicle starts to accelerate, it does so in a snapping way that almost causes another dangerous situation. This is being discussed by several owners on social media g... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2022
I have experienced "phantom braking" with this vehicle from the time I received it in Feb '22. There have been over 20 incidents. I do not feel safe using the cruise control in traffic or when any car is following me. It could very easily cause an accident. When cruise control is on, it will randomly apply emergency braking. Yes the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safet... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2022
My daughter was driving on the interstate when the car went into limp mode and the engine light was flashing. We had it towed to hyundia dealership where they did an engine update. Had it for 3 months when it did the same thing to her again. Had it towed again to same dealership where they are telling me it needs a new engine.
Incident date: Sep 12, 2022
Sept. 12, 2022 - Ever since we have owned this vehicle, we have experienced this issue with the cruise control. Speed increases while driving downhill highways and sometimes on pretty level highways. When I decrease the speed on the controller, it sometimes maintains the speed for several seconds (slow to respond) in order to slow down while coming up behind another vehicle. I therefore ne... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER SPORT
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Sep 12, 2022
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
Brought vehicle in for recall repair for the software update. The update failed and also caused the TCM module to fail. Its been over a week since i last had my vehicle and the service shop is still waiting for the replacement modules which is on "backorder"
Incident date: Aug 21, 2022
Hello I've been having my car for a year I told the dealership the problem but it seem as they don't want to fix it My car wouldn't go over 60miles and also my engine just locked up this doesn't make sense when they know these problems are a recall on this type of vehicles
Incident date: Oct 30, 2019
When cruise control is activated the rpm increases 700 to 1000 rpm regardless of the speed
Incident date: Sep 6, 2022
The acceleration completely stopped, while driving in the third lane, northbound on the 15 freeway in the cajon pass. The dealership informed me the transmission is the cause. The car is still with the service department now. No warning lights. No check engine lights, nothing. The power in the car remained on the car acted as if it was in neutral.
Incident date: Sep 10, 2022
The vehicle is displaying error messages Reduced Engine Power, Service Stabilitrak, Service Traction Control. It also has the related service indicator lights for the Stabilitrak, the Traction Control, and the Check Engine Light is on. There is a service bulletin for this issue that only addresses the 2008-2011 model years, my vehicle is a 2012 and thus not included in the current bulletin and sho... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2022
I was slowly pulling into a parking space at the Nordstrom store in Dunwoody, Georgia, when the car suddenly self-accelerated, jumped the curb and hit a concrete pillar. The pillar was about 15 feet from the parking area curb. Pressing the brake did not slow the car.
Crash
Incident date: May 30, 2022
4/2021 Prior to 4/2021, I had complained verbally with visits and calls to the dealership about an intermittent (CC ) Cruise Control issue. They could not find a problem w/the CC. I now consider this issue is related to the rear caliper ceasing. 5/30/2022 (RC) Rear caliper ceased without any indications. The (MC) motorcycle, presented w/a power loss otherwise unknowingly to me until later in... Read more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2022
I was pulling my car forward into a parking spot in my apartment complex with my foot on the brake. I was about three quarters of the way into the spot when I suddenly felt the car lurch forward at what felt like a high rate of speed. The car lurched forward over the sidewalk and was stopped by two parked cars and a light pole. My car was moving slowly as I pulled in the spot before the sudden ac... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 10, 2022
I was on the highway, and my car suddenly lost power. I was unable to accelerate, and I had to pull over on the shoulder. I received an alert that said “service charging system error.” It was extremely dangerous for myself and my family.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2018) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Sep 10, 2022
Incident date: Sep 10, 2022
The speed control malfunctioned. the vehicle was in drive not moving when it started accelerating on its own. This malfunction could cause serious injury or death . There was no indication of a problem prior to the failure. I shifted to park and shut off the engine.
Incident date: Aug 31, 2022
On 8/31/2022 I was turning into the driveway of a friend. All of a sudden my car accelerated. There was another car in the driveway in front of me. I was trying not to hit it, so turned my steering wheel sharply to the right. I left the driveway, turning into a side yard, and then it seemed the brakes wouldn't work. I hit a tree, and went over a large rock, which stopped my car. As it happened, I ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Car won't go in reverse.vehicle will only go 30 mph at times and cause safety issues
JEEP
GRAND WAGONEER
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Sep 8, 2022
Incident date: Sep 8, 2022
Vehicle loses power randomly, have to pull over and turn it off and back on
Incident date: Sep 5, 2022
2015 Mazda CX-5 with 91,000 miles on it. Automatic transmission has failed. When I attempted to pull out into traffic the vehicle would not shift into 2nd gear and instead jerked hard and the engine RPMs revved up. I was not able to get the vehicle past 10mph. This failure with the transmission resulted in the oncoming traffic having to swerve and break to avoid a collision with me. The vehic... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
Car exhibits behavior detailed in Nissan TSB with classification EC19-011, reference number NTB19-018. Lack of power after engine cold soak. After engine sits for days, or even hours, upon startup, the accelerator is limited to about 5mph and 1500-2000 rpm. Very slow. It does this for about 10 seconds of forward movement with pedal beyond the 5mph threshold, then returns to everything performing l... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2022
I picked my car up tonight from Haley’s in FarmVille va they fixed my door latches due to recall on latches. I told Them prior to dropping it off that the ABS light and traction control light and engine coolant light keeps coming on. When I pulled out the parking lot I almost got rear ended because the car didn’t want to go it was moving so slow I had to slowly make myself across the road into... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2022
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -- Cruise Control system (with or without Full Auto-pilot engaged) How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -- Vehicle comes to a near complete stop from highway speeds, in traffic, to avoid 'something' that doesn't exist Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or ind... Read more
Incident date: Jun 16, 2022
Car was stop at left turn lane waiting for light to change to green arrow. Car just accelerated on its own . Car crashes into to car in front of me and pushes us onto center island and continues to accelerate sending us on to crossing traffic, endangering others and my family life . Tesla never investigated or tried to respond. Insurance company couldn’t or never did any investigation and made m... Read more
Crash
2 injured