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: Jul 8, 2022
Driving on highway and experienced total loss of power. Coasted to side of road. Unable to "restart". Error displayed "Service Charging System" Dealership ran software updates to remedy issue. One week later same issue. Driving on highway and total loss of power., same error message. Towed to another dealership. Diagnosed as dead 12v battery, but I doubt this diagnosis. Battery was not d... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2022
While using cruise control (Traffic-Aware Cruise Control) on a recent road trip in our Tesla Model Y, the car unexpectedly and for no apparent reason, abruptly reduced speed. Our car is available for inspection upon request. Our safety and that of others was put at risk as a result of this unexpected reduction in speed while travelling on the highway. An accident could have occurred if cars t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
When driving on the highway the vehicle will desegregate. Check engine light goes on and off and received 5 different codes for the transmission. Tire 🛞 system comes on and off. The engine overheats a lot especially on hot climates. I drove from New York to North Carolina and had to stop 5 times on the side of the road so the car could cool down.
Incident date: May 9, 2022
I own a 2016 Mazda CX-5 Touring with AWD. I purchased it brand new from a dealer--no miles on it. It's been a great car until this Sudden Unintended Acceleration problem (about 60K miles now). It's happened 5 or 6 times--twice when in a drive thru. It seems that if I am idling (not pressing on gas or brake) the car will sometimes suddenly accelerate. I have used suggestions to brake, then pl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2022
Yesterday on a road trip my car repeatedly slammed on the brakes while in cruise control despite no vehicles or objects in the road in front of me.
Incident date: Jul 25, 2022
I purchased a new 2022 Lincoln Navigator Reserve L and just took a 3000 mile road trip and used their Active Glide driver assistance extensively and have uncovered a MAJOR safety issue with their system. The issue I found is that when using the adaptive cruise control feature the system will sometimes read a car in the adjacent lane as moving in front of my vehicle and apply the brakes very hard ... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLE 450
(2020) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 27, 2022
Incident date: Jul 21, 2022
1. FIRST MESSAGE: 48V BATTERY MALFUNCTION 2. SECOND MESSAGE: STOP THE VEHICLE COOLANT IS NOT WORKING VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING. 3. LOST POWER, I COULD ONLY DRIVE 10 MILES PER HOUR. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A SEMI TRUCK. THERE ARE SEVERAL ONLINE OCCURRENCES REPORTING THESE SAME MESSAGES. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN A VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER WHILE ON A B... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2022
All of a sudden my transmission service fault light has came on, my escape won’t shift into gear, and when it is in park it won’t go into drive it any other gear without you forcing it. I have called farina, Effingham, Salem, Centralia, Newton and none of them can get my car in for a month. I am now without a vehicle and I’m needing something done.
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 26, 2022
Incident date: Jul 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while her partner was reversing out of a driveway, the vehicle independently surged backward up a hill as her partner applied the brake pedal. Her partner was able to place the vehicle into drive which sent the vehicle forward. The vehicle hit a tree which stopped the acceleration. The contact heard screaming from inside her home a... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 23, 2022
Driving at 55 and the engine blew. No warning, no check engine light, no sign of anything wrong. Power steering loss, limo mode activation. Almost rear ended during catastrophic failure. 111,000 miles
Incident date: Jul 17, 2022
I have noticed unwarranted braking while using cruise control. I have been able to confirm at least some of it is due reconstruction of the highway. At certain places the car thinks I am on an exit ramp with a 45mph limit when I am actually on the main highway. It then suddenly slows the car until I correct it using the accelerator.
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2017) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 25, 2022
Incident date: Mar 23, 2022
Vehicle was jerking and a wrench illuminated on panel. Was able to get out of traffic to side of road but very dangerous as we had to just coast to safety. Took vehicle to dealership...code threw for throttle active stuck. This happened on March 23, 2022. Than again on July 23, 2022, was on interstate and wrench illuminated and again stalled. 75 Mph traffic and thank goodness we was able to clear... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2022
The Auto-Pilot system, Tesla's version of adaptive cruise control, 'phantom' brakes with no obstruction in the road. It has happened to me many times on a recent long trip. perhaps a dozen times over 1300 miles. It has occurred when I am on the only car on a quiet country road and on busy highways. There appear to be 2 types of braking; one in which the brakes are actually engaged and the... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Lexus NX. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel was difficult to operate. There was no warning light illuminated. On another occasion, the steering wheel veered to the left and right. In addition, there was a sudden unintended acceleration. The brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not reduce in speed... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jul 25, 2022
A day of Phantom Braking today while the car was on adaptive cruise: -Going on the interstate up a hill, and on the crest it freaks out and slams on the brake -Going on MN Hwy 18 at 6:30 pm north, and dozens of phantom braking incidents in shadows, dark colored patches of road, and for random reasons. Got so bad I stopped using the feature
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
RA1250
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 24, 2022
Incident date: Jul 19, 2022
While riding this motorcycle, I stopped for gas and then went to restart the motorcycle and the starter just "screeched" rather that starting the engine. On second attempt, the bike started however the normal idle RPMs of around 1200 went up to 4000 and would not drop back to normal RPM. (I have had this bike take as many as 4 start attempts, twice while stuck in busy intersections and previousl... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2022
My 2013 Camaro had 89k miles, garage kept in excellent condition. My vehicle had never given me any issues and has impeccable maintenance records. I was pulling out of a parking spot when my engine started riving and jerking and I accelerated while in reverse and hit a concrete post behind me. I applied the brake and placed the car in drive. My car took off with a high speed of acceleration with m... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 23, 2022
Fault codes: P072C00, P072B00, P174A00, P072600, P179D00, P173400. Name of codes in order above, Stuck in Gear 1, Stuck in Reverse, Valve 3 in partial transmission 1, Engine Speed Inp.Circ., Cooling oil valve, Starter release from the selector level sensor system.
Incident date: Jul 24, 2022
Car is phantom breaking with cruise control set on the freeway.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
I HAVE FIXED EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD AND MY VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELRATE OVER 60. IF ACCLERATE TO 61MPH IT WOULD DROP DOWN TO 40MPH
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
When turning on vehicle the lightning stalls to come on properly. The dash board and radio is completely off even when vehicle has started. Speedometer does not have an accurate reading of how many miles per hour I'm truly going in which I don't feel safe due to the fact that I'm more likely to get pulled over for speeding or not driving fast enough while on the road. No one has inspected the veh... Read more
Incident date: Jul 22, 2022
I was at a stop light when I slowly started to lift my foot from the brake pedal. The engine started revving up and accelerate. I pressed the brake pedal normal , then harder when it would not stop revving. I looked down to see if I was hitting the gas pedal by accident. I was not, about after 5 seconds it stop revving. I went about a foot and nobody was in front of me. I going to have it checked ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2022
Car wasn’t always turning over right away. When it would, sluggish acceleration meaning gas pedal to floor and slow acceleration. Could have caused major accident when crossing traffic or joining traffic. Car turned off when at busy intersection twice when idling. Could have caused to be rear ended. Auto shop cleaned terminal 6. Stated if happens again, go to Kia to have board replaced
Incident date: Jul 24, 2022
Airbag light , traction control light ,abs light , brake light all are on
Incident date: Jul 22, 2022
While driving the Vehicle at 9:30pm on 7/22/22 the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own at a very fast rate after I sped up to yield over into another lane coming off the highway. There was luckily no vehicles ahead of me and I was on a straight away or else I would’ve hit someone. I pressed the brakes down but they wouldn’t bring the vehicle to a stop. I placed the transmission in neutral... Read more
Incident date: Jun 25, 2022
I brought a lemon from premier auto kc out in Kansas city, Kansas! I was sold a lemon and have had major problems with the car since
Incident date: Jul 22, 2022
I recently purchased a 2012 ford escape, and the engine runs loud, and after researching, I feel that the throttle body is not in working condition. I looked up recalls on this vehicle and there is an incomplete throttle body repair/replace open recall, but when I looked it up via NHTSA it said no recalls. I would like this issue resolved. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2022
The car overheats due to the water pump and coolant leaks .
Incident date: Jul 3, 2022
THE TRANSMISSION SLIIPPED SO BAD THAT IT LURCHED ME FORWARD AND ALMOST TO STAND STILL TRAFFIC ! I NEARLY HIT OIL TANKER I WAS. ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE SAFELY OFF THE ROAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET IT IN THE PARKING LOT !! THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AFRIAD TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ARE TRAINED TO SCAM CUSTOMER I HAVE HAD REGUL... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
The first incident occurred sometime in late June/early July...indicator lights mentioned below came on and I cleaned off sensors and indicator lamps disappeared on this occurrence. On July 13 2022, I was driving on a busy local road when the following malfunction indicators were displayed: brake system warning, 'check' engine malfunction indicator lamp, electric power steering system warning, pa... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2021
While driving on the interstate both adaptive cruise control(ACC) and regular cruise control have disengaged on multiple occasions. Once this occurs the cruise control will not engage regardless of whether I try ACC or regular cruise control and I receive a message "Cruise Control Off" and a beep when I try. The only consistent solution seems to be to turn off the car and turn it back on. There... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2022
Vehicle parked and unattended. Shifter control unit failed and vehicle rolled away. Vehicle front damage.
Crash
Incident date: Jul 22, 2022
Stuck accelerator pedal during acceleration
Incident date: Jul 14, 2022
At 505 miles vehicle center radio/control display failed to work also suspending the use for sensors for crash prevention. Vehicle has less than 2500 miles on it and doesn’t want to accelerate. When driving and attempting to make turns the vehicle fails to go forward with pressing the gas pedal to the ground. Vehicle continues to feel like it is going to stall, shutters at various times and is u... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2022
Driving and the Stabilitrak warning comes on as well as the Power steering warning. later after the vehicle is turned off it will not restart (no crank, no Start) and there is no communication with the ECM until it has had the battery disconnected for an extended period. This is very dangerous losing power steering and stabilitrak while driving is going to cause an accident. I would like to see... Read more
Incident date: Jul 21, 2022
At times the vehicle accelerates by itself albeit I am not touching the gas pedal. While driving the vehicle at 45 mph, I take my foot off of the accelerator and the vehicle maintains the 45 mph speed or increases speed if I am driving down a hill or any downward gradient regardless of the angle of decent. When I try to stop the vehicle using the foot brake it continues to maintain speed and if I... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2022
Driving back from, San Antonio, Tx., to Millsap, Tx., in my 2019 Ford F-150 truck, I experienced down shifting and up shifting hard. It was making driving very difficult and dangerous. My Ford App alerted me that there was a Powertrain Malfunction. The little wrench light came on the dash indicating Powertrain problems. I was very concerned for my safety. I have turned it into, Southwest Ford, i... Read more
HYUNDAI
IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 20, 2022
Incident date: Jul 2, 2022
During a highway trip that was bumper to bumper traffic at approximately 15mph, the car suddenly would not accelerate while operating on gasoline (not electric). The engine revs would increase to maximum without movement from the car (as if the car was in neutral). After checking the gear lever to make sure it was still in D, tried to accelerate again and engine rev high without movement. Eventual... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2022
When driving at highway speeds on open roads with light traffic with the adaptive cruise control ON the car would severely brake at random. I have seen this referred to a "Phantom Braking" in other reports. This happens several times an hour and the brakes are severely applied automatically, reducing the speed from 70-80mph to 40-50mph before I can intervene by stepping on the accelerator pedal.... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2022
While driving at the speed of 45mph… the vehicle suddenly started increasing acceleration to 62 mph……attempts to apply brakes failed…. Was unable to stop acceleration Brake pedal was pressed all the way to the floor an car was slammed into PARK…
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
I am told my APIM module needs to be replaced. My touch screen will go black and then come back on. I am unable to use handsfree phone due to system not staying connected to my bluetooth. The radio will not turn off or on and sometimes will come on and be blaring while driving. The GPS does not work at all and if it decides to even show up on the screen will not follow streets at all. The warning ... Read more
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 20, 2022
Incident date: Jan 24, 2022
The HVBJB subassembly in ALL Ford Mach-e vehicles has known defects with 'under-designed' main contactors that are known to fail under normal charging and driving conditions as outlined in current open Ford recall notice for my vehicle 22s41. Unfortunately, the internal damage to contactors is not visible externally, and warning notices on display only after damage has occurred, and can result in ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2022
On a 1,500 mile road trip I experienced phantom braking once every 30 minutes while using both auto pilot and cruise control
Incident date: Jul 31, 2021
My car has started slowing down abruptly and displaying Engine Power has been Reduced at random times, but has become more frequent. I have had an independent service center tell me it was the throttle body, so they replaced it. That didn't fix it, so they replaced the accelerator pedal/sensor. It still is happening and when on the interstate, it is so dangerous to slow down with no warning becaus... Read more
HONDA
ACCORD HYBRID
(2015) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 19, 2022
Incident date: Jul 1, 2017
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, the vehicle would independently accelerate soon after the start of the vehicle with his foot on the brake pedal. The contact also stated that the braking system failure warning light would be displayed on the instrument panel during the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer twice fo... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2020
My car had started acting weird about 5 months after I got it, I believe Jan 2020. Only had it till Jan 2021 and they said my engine Barrings broke and it was going to cost me 10000. I didn’t have it. I was never informed about the recall. It messed up my whole credit and I still have not been able to get a car since. I moved and I was just now able to get the mail!
Incident date: Jul 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, the steering wheel turned all the way to the left independently. The contact stated that upon steering, the steering wheel veered to the right and he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle veered to the right and crashed into a concrete barrier. The air bags deployed. The contact was transported to the hospital wit... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 16, 2022
BRP's Vehicle Stability System (VSS) engages randomly on left turns, cutting engine power, applying braking, and temporary stalling around curves at normal driving speeds. This situation is a serious driving hazard as may suddenly jerk erratically, causing temporary loss of control of vehicile. This has happened on several occassions, and is a known problem to BRP. Ryker will lose power during a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2019
Car suddenly braked hard while driving 60mph on a highway nearly causing me to get rear ended. No clear indications as to why it braked.
Incident date: Jul 16, 2022
Check engine light Code p2138 Change the throttle pedal position sensor the next day the car dropped down to 5 to 10 mph information center said engine safety been reduced to 5 to 10 mph plus my traction control light came on then information center said service traction control put my old throttle pedal position sensor back on and it turn traction control light out and the car went back to dri... Read more