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: Jan 18, 2022
I had engaged Tesla’s “Full Self Driving” feature in a 25 MPH zone. As the speed limit changed to 35 MPH the vehicle correctly adjusted to 35 MPH. However, right after that I entered a school zone marked by a flashing yellow light. I used the brakes to slow down to 18 MPH, which disengaged the “Full Self Driving” feature because the vehicle did not adjust on its own. Once I was at 18 MPH... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated after his wife stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle accelerated independently and caused to crash the vehicle ahead of them. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The cont... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 9, 2022
After the coil pack recall was done, our car began shuddering, hesitating and stalling. Went to the dealership 4-5 times. ECM and Prindle valve were replaced but still doing it. then engine exploded going up a hill, stranding us for 2.5 hours on the freeway. Engine replaced under warranty (which expired while in shop for two months). No warranty on new motor. Same issues still going on and s... Read more
Incident date: Jan 16, 2023
I was travelling down the highway at near 60 mph and without warning the truck shuttered and shifted to first gear. This nearly started and chain reaction crash with myself and 3 other vehicles as I was nearly rear ended, I also could've easily lost control. Had I been towing my travel trailer at the time this would have caused a major accident without question. 2 codes were thrown at this time P0... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2022
1. ABS pump failure, stable tract for steering. Available for inspection if requested. When this warning light comes on cruise control will not function. 2. If ABS failure cannot slow down in a timely manner danger to occupants. 3. Yes 4. Unknown 5. Yes, warning lamps appeared at 15,000 miles. Would like to see this be a recall because numerous other owners have this same issue.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2023
Vehicle will not go in reverse and will not accelerate
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2014) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 18, 2023
Incident date: Jan 10, 2022
Sudden Acceleration (SUA--3 times same day); almost went through storefront, almost hit by truck @ stop sign, almost hit fence in parking lot twice, had difficulty in highway traffic jam. Vehicle currently at dealership. Car and brakes became uncontrollable at slow attempt to park and in traffic jam; had to turn off ignition. Dealer and independent service shop have not been able to recreate con... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2023
I have a 2018 Ram 2500 Diesel and throughout the past 24 months I have been receiving intermittent ABS and Traction Control lights while driving. Recently (3 days ago), the lights have come back, are staying on, and the screen displayed the words "Perform Service". I attached my diagnostic tool and the Code captured is: C0020 Status: MIL/Confirmed - ABS Pump Motor Control - General Electric Fai... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle hesitated upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle entered LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a shift solenoid defect related to the engine control module (ECM). The cont... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2012
12/02/2022 while parking the vehicle in a parking spot in a parking garage, vehicle suddenly lurched forward causing the vehicle to hit the parking garage cement wall. This caused him to hit his head very hard on the steering wheel. The air bag deployed after he hit his head. The Air Bag did not protect him. He did not hit the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle accelerated by itself, which cause... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 27, 2022
The car's cruise control's rocker switch got stuck causing the vehicle's speed to increase continually. The rocker switch allows driver to increase or decrease speed when the cruise control is activated. The rocker switch permits speed increase in increments of 1 mph or 5 mph. If pressed up until a resistance point, the speed increases by 1 mph; if pressed beyond the resistance point, it increases... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2019
On Oct 29, 2012, BMW recalled its 7-Series luxury cars due to reports of transmission control problems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in the NHTSA campaign #12V502000 (power train and electric system) has caused at least 14 crashes and possibly 5 injuries, and in the NHTSA campaign #13V564000 (air bags). The recall involved 45,500 cars with model years from 2005 to ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that after his wife had entered the parked vehicle and the driver's door was still open, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration, causing the vehicle to drive over a curb, into a ravine, and then crash into a tree. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was not filed due to the contact's wife not sustaining injuries. Th... Read more
Crash
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2014) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 17, 2023
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
More often than not I’m finding I have to add oil to the car. It gives no warning the oil is low, no light, no smoke. The car starts to run a little hard so we check the oil. Each time we check the oil is low and needs more. We have gotten oil changes on the recommended schedule. Yet the problem still persists. Also I notice at times when pushing the gas to accelerate it almost seems hard to d... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2022
On Nov 9 2022 the owner was pulling into a parking space at a mall and the Subaru Crosstrek 2018 suddenly accelerated and slammed into the wall of a store. The airbags did not go off. The driver was going at a slow speed and putting on the brake. The driver and occupant suffered some impact from the seat belts but no other injuries. If pedestrians had been on the sidewalk in front of the parking... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 17, 2023
While driving on highway 59 my vehicle began to jerk. I tried to accelerate and the vehicle would ramp but not move fast. My check engine light came on as well as the error code “transmission malfunction you continue to drive until engine is off.” After getting out of Houston, Texas rush hour traffic, I had my vehicle towed to a mechanic. The mechanic ran several tests and checked the engine. ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2022
I was driving, luckily at a slow speed when my trucks transmission without warning down shifted into first gear.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2023
Multiple occurrences have happened where I am driving the car on the freeway when the SERVICE CHARGING SYSTEM code comes on and the vehicle stalls. I am unable to accelerate and have to pull off onto the shoulder. This is very dangerous as the vehicles on the freeway are going at high speeds. This failure could easily cause an accident or worse. The car then flashes SHIFT TO P TO START and the che... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2021
The 2014 Chevy Impala is dangerous. When the rocker arm control valve and related parts fail or the camshaft solenoids and sensors fail the car will drive rough and eventually just cut off in the middle of traffic highway or residential. This is what it did on me, putting me in a very dangerous position. The economic loss is still devastating financially as all 2.5 and 3.6 engines arent covered b... Read more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2022
This morning, I was driving using FSD beta and the car swerved and veered almost directly into the curb, head-on. I was able to capture the data using the car's built-in dashcam and saved it, though I can't upload it to this site. I was able to slam on the brakes at the last minute and luckily no one else was around as it could have easily injured someone else and/or damaged my vehicle.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
Pressing on the gas pedal would not accelerate the car. This was intermittent. With cruise control set, the car would no longer maintain the set speed. Both of these occurred repeatedly and while going different speeds. This lasted for 2+ weeks until the dealer was able to find the defect. Nothing was recorded on the car's error messages. The dealership was unable to find the cause and eventually... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2022
Code 2138 accelerator sensor popped up yesterday. After researching, I found out this is a common concern with Chevrolet Malibus for 2016. I'm sure you are well aware of this by now so I want to know what my options are at this point. Thank you.
Incident date: Jan 15, 2023
Yes it’s available for inspection. Sudden increase in speed under certain condition could be a safety issue. This problem has been identified by another owner and taken to Nissan (Apple) York, PA. The problem happened after leaving the Nissan lot on the way home, less than 200 miles. During use of intelligence cruse control, set at 70 mph, came up on a vehicle doing 60 mph and the system slowed ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E350
(2008) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 15, 2023
Incident date: Jan 8, 2023
2018 Ram 2500 with 18,900 miles. While driving at various speeds, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated with an audible chime. The brakes would slip upon depression of the brake pedal while the warning lights are illuminated. ABS control module/traction control is intermittently failing. There is no antilock braking or traction control on wet/icy conditions.
VOLKSWAGEN
TAOS
(2023) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 14, 2023
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
Throttle stuck brakes could not stop vehicle. Lost control and rolled. Lucky I was on my property and not a public road. No report. Can be inspected. Available anytime. This is not the only year of this model I have had this problem I have had two 2002 that have had same problem.
Crash
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
The UConnect system in the 2020 Dodge Durango SRT has been compromised. the vehicle has experienced major safety concerns and life threatening issues for the driver. All components from body telemetry to speed control breaking fuel consumption electrical the brain itself the GPS the tracking equipment and software. Somebody a(hacker or Toyota) is remotely hacked and controlling the system just l... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2023
Shift knob is beginning to crack at the right rear base of the knob. Car had less that 1000 miles before noticing the crack. I checked if I was affected as I read on vwvortex forums that many other golf mk8 were reporting shift knobs falling off mid shift.
Incident date: Jan 14, 2023
Jan 13, 2023 at 7:02AM PST. While using adaptive cruise control with lanekeeping, I was driving in second lane from the right at a constant speed. There was plenty of room in front of me- no car nearby. As I was slowly passing the car to my right, another car that was behind the car to my right began a normal lane change to its left into my lane behind me. For no reason, my car began to slow d... Read more
Incident date: Dec 22, 2022
Service shifter light comes on and all lights light up on shifter. This is a issue that I brought up about 2-3 years ago when I purchased the vehicle. Took it to dealership they replaced a cable and another part I believe. The issue is now happening again. My cruise control on the vehicle also does not always decelerate when it should and will speed up over the amount its set for.
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 13, 2023
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
I am randomly receiving the errors: "Front Camera Fault" "Pre-Collision Assist Not Available" Also, my cruise control no longer works while this error is active. Error will clear itself after a few minutes, but will still pop up from time to time.
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
Driving vehicle like normal and then the check engine light comes on with the stabilitrak light, and get message "reduced engine power". Car goes down to less than 50 miles per hour and is struggling to go must faster while I am on the freeway. The RPMs keep going higher and higher even though the car is not going very fast. Get home and let it rest. Keep having same issue on and off past two week... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2023
I was driving on highway 395 in California on Jan 6th in the afternoon. It was a very clear day. I was driving north on the 2 lane portion of the road north of Adelanto and Kramer junction with cruise control on set to about 72. With no cars in sight in front of me the car hard braked with no cars in front of me. I disabled cruise control and later enabled it again. It happened again. I conta... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2023
The only cruise control feature available on this car is the adaptive cruise control. This car continues to make sudden unsafe braking maneuvers for no reason. It seems to get confused by steep hills, bridges, shadows, and other factors. You can be on a highway going 70mph and it will slam the brakes, terrifying passengers and potentially causing you to get rear ended. This has been ongoing si... Read more
Incident date: Jan 13, 2023
I was driving in cruise control on the freeway going 70 mph with no other cars in front of me when suddenly the car slammed on the brakes and slowed to less than 40 mph before I could even react. The car behind me came close to crashing into me. The car continued to slam on the brakes every time I put it in cruise control. I am concerned going forward that if I use cruise control and someone is fo... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2022
Dashboard instrument panel all lights and gauges goes out while driving down the road when vehicle is turned off a clicking noise is made in the dash. This issue causes when driving down the road, not knowing the speed because the speedometer is out or how much gas the vehicle has, or any other readings, and at night all lights go out, not able to see while driving down the road.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
Hi I’m having trouble with my transmission in my car due to a safety feature that Nissan has installed on there cvt transmissions. After driving for 1 1/2 to 2 hour trips my car does not accelerate or will have a slow time gaining speed. Nissan has a high fluid temperature protection mode that basically when the transmission temp gets too high the computer cuts you off completely and intentional... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while reversing out of a garage parking space, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into several other parked vehicles before coming to a stop. During the incident, the driver sustained a mild concussion which did not require medical attention. A police r... Read more
Crash
1 injured
MERCEDES-BENZ
SPRINTER 3500
(2021) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 12, 2023
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
•Driver’s window failing to properly and completing retract. This has been particularly troublesome in the bitter cold of Northern Minnesota. On each visit to Subaru I have requested that the window be repaired. All efforts have been unsuccessful. •Battery failure without cause or prior warning signs. On previous visits the Service Center failed to address and resolve the battery proble... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
Often times when accelerating the car has issues and will sometimes feel like it is dropping down a shift while I am in the middle of accelerating. Also, if Idle stop is left on, the car will sometimes shut off completely before turning back on. Yesterday, the car shut off completely then turned back on but I could not get it out of neutral. when I tried to shut the car off nothing would happen an... Read more
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
I'm coming to a stop or slowing down the car shuts off. Even when making a turn in front of another car across traffic my car has turned off in the middle of crossing the street and I almost got hit twice now. This affects the cruise control coming on as well the speedometer fluctuates back and forth the whole time I'm driving. This happens every day and at most times when I'm coming to a stop or ... Read more
FREIGHTLINER
SPRINTER 3500
(2012) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 12, 2023
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
THE VEHICLE DASH BOARD HAD 4 {ECM, ABS, TRACTION AND SKID} LIGHTS, REDUCED SPEED TO 20MPH ON THE HIGHWAY RPM INCREASED OVER 3000 LOST ABILITY FOR ABS, STEARING CONTROL AND SPEED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS P003A AND P0037 POINTING TO BOTH REAR WHEEL SPEED SONSORS.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
The problem is when driving the vehicle losses power , service icon come on , but all the instruments go blank including speed , oil pressure, fuel . the vehicle accelaration does not work proper, it feels like it get stuck on high gear. unable to accelerate rapidly. when checked for codes not codes indicated. then when i turn the vehicle off and restart it , everything start to work proper.
Incident date: Dec 2, 2022
Gear shifting and transmission problems are on going and intermittent. computer system confused to witch location shifter is in. Sent to dealer for system up date witch only lasted one week before problems returned. error code p0810
Incident date: Jan 12, 2023
Hi I bought car Nissan maxima 2011 transmission not working well when I driving I stopped at the traffic after that car does not move forward
Incident date: Jan 4, 2023
2022 Honda Civic Sport current milage: 21,000 miles. I have had this car since September 2021. Ever since my first day of ownership, the LKAS system for assisting the driver with lane guidance constantly fights me. Often, the car turns the steering wheel by itself to hug the left lane line, often passing over the line and causing the Lane Departure warning to activate, shaking the steering wheel. ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2023
I've been trying for over three years to obtain a repair for severe lag in acceleration in my 2016 Dodge Ram Eco Diesel. It's a critical safety hazard. A recall was issued June 2022, but Dodge continues to say a remedy is not available. Dodge has known about this issue for several years, and still does not have a fix? As I said in my first complaint submitted Jan 2020 (11300317), how many lives wi... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2022
Car sufferers from “phantom braking” and will aggressively brake while adaptive cruise control is engaged for no apparent reason. No “regular” cruise control is available to over ride this.
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate while the engine revved loudly. The vehicle then jerked forward while driving. Additionally, there was an abnormal rubber odor detected. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure recurred, and the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 11, 2023
Wanted to report a problem with Tesla's map navigation and adaptive cruise control (what they refer to as "Autopilot). I haven't seen this reported in the media so wanted to report it here. The map navigation system is problematic, when navigating using the map on the freeway, it will reroute a different path because it somehow thinks I am driving on surface streets. It does this consistently. ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2022
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE THE CONSUMER PLACED THE REQUEST.*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******