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: Oct 22, 2022
While driving at highway speed, Service Traction Control/Stabilitrak warning comes on. Vehicle slows and if driver attempts to accelerate (using accelerator pedal), it causes severe lurching of vehicle. This makes the vehicle basically undrivable while in the middle of traffic. You must use emergency measures to pull over (potentially across multiple lanes) off the road and while trying to do t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 5, 2022
I was merging onto a highway at high speeds when the car stuttered. The check engine light began to flash and I lost acceleration. I could push the gas pedal to the floor and the car would not accelerate at all. The car lost it's speed and I could not go anymore than 30mph, and it would not go higher than 2rpms. It put me and my baby (who was in the backseat) in danger as we were going fast on a h... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2022
On Aug. 24, 2022 I was out shopping at a few different places. My car at this point had never given me any issues, still practically brand new with barely a little over 10000 miles on it. I got in it and started it up. I go to put it into gear and it would not go. I tried again and again then noticed a check engine light on. I turned it off then started vehicle again. I tried putting in reverse, i... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
(2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 6, 2022
Incident date: Nov 6, 2022
Manual shifter knob has popped off while driving a number of times with virtually no effort (I'm not a hard shifter at all) and primarily when at speed and other dangerous times. Seems to be a poorly crafted plastic clip that is being reported by numerous manual transmission owners.
VOLKSWAGEN
PASSAT
(2013) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 6, 2022
Incident date: Mar 22, 2022
* Driver air bag, horn, all controls in steering wheel. * Not having a horn or working air bag * Yes, defective clock switch has been confirmed-this was a recall, was replaced and failed again * No- dealer/recall repair center only * No, air bag light came on and that was it. At that moment nothing worked This occurred in March 2022. I was told it would take 1-2 months to get the part. The part i... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2022
Powertrain malfunction. Decreased power sent to powertrain. No turbocharge activation. Minimal acceleration, got up to only 45 on highway. Check engine light on, followed by Turbocharge wastegate malfunction. 6500 miles, 4 months old. 2.7L engine. Daily driver awaiting dealer service appointment. Not drivable.
Incident date: Nov 2, 2022
While I was doing parallel parking, the car on its own went into involuntary, sudden, uncontrolled acceleration & hit a tree & bushes resulting into considerable body damage. Then I called Subaru national customer relations representative & I was told to go to the local Subaru dealer where I had purchased the car about four and a half years ago. The mechanic there told me that he had never heard... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 4, 2022
When pulling out onto Highway vehicle did not accelerate as it should and lost power when accelerating. Did get up to Highway miles. Lights on dash said electronic throttle control. Thought maybe the computer needed reset so removed battery cables and still nothing.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2022
The car requires swiping the touchscreen to place it in drive or reverse. The touchscreen does not always register the intended change of direction, leading to unexpected, unsafe motion of the car. The area of the touchscreen that one must swipe is also often occluded by the steering yoke. This has happened multiple times, where the lack of strong enough feedback (or a mechanism that allows for l... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
Is intelligent speed assist implemented backward in the new Ram Promaster 3500? I attached a screenshot of the owners manual page describing how it should be working. I have experience several instances of the van automatically slamming on the brakes when traveling down the highway when the van recognizes a 25 mph speed limit sign for an off ramp. I have not been the only one. There are other p... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2022
I was almost to work on the highway and my car dashboard said Engine Power is Reduced. It quickly started powering down from 74 directly to 50 then 40, then 35 and finally to 26 before I could safely pull off to the side of the road. This issue is getting worse it takes at least 10 minutes of waiting and turning my car off and on before it is back to normal. Others have said that they have gone ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate. The fuel mileage had decreased. The fuel warning light was flashing on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V880000 (Fuel System, Diesel).... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2022
La falla de mi carro es la transmisión se quebró por dentro cuando iba en marcha pero pude llegar a un tienda de Chevrolet
Incident date: Oct 25, 2022
Instrument panel cluster failure. Panel goes black while driving and lose power. Vehicle won’t start or shut off. My vehicle was getting serviced at the dealership and they couldn’t start the vehicle. I was told the instrument panel cluster was the problem. I contacted Toyota Customer Service, and was told they were aware of the issue. They had issued an extended warranty and sent out a lett... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2021
First off before I got the car it had gone through a tune up. About a couple months after I got the car little things started to happen it would rock back and forth while idling I thought it was kind of an indicator that it needed oil but the percentage was still at a decent range and telling me it didn't need oil plus I hadent driven it 3000-5000 miles. Then engine light came on had it inspected ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Nov 2, 2022
I still have more to add to my other complaint. The fire started with alternator apparently there were crossed wires took alternator back to Orielys where I got it warrented out fixed the expanded wiring and replaced a hose and other things damaged by the little fire. Then after that things kept getting worse. Then it was spark plugs that were rusted that I replaced eventually I complained back to... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at a low speed pulling into a parking spot, the vehicle accelerated over two concrete stopping blocks and crashed into a parked unoccupied 2015 Toyota vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. A police report was filed. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, or fire. The contact ca... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
I went to the shop, and they said that my transmission was slipping, & that I didn’t have a third gear. Also they stated that it was a recall. There are leaks
Incident date: Jan 1, 2019
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed her that the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to repli... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 3500
(2014) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 3, 2022
Incident date: Aug 31, 2022
Transmission control module failed. Reduced power to vehicle to first gear. Blinkers, speedometer door locks, and other Safety and driving devices did not work. Check engine turned on. Device is held at some gmc dealerships nationally however they will not sell the part to have the truck repaired.
Incident date: Apr 17, 2021
At random times the car will get the check engine light (Code P2138 when scanned) & show a message on the dash saying “engine power reduced”. This happened to me twice while driving on the highway & 4 other times while driving on city streets. When this happens , I have to pull over to the side of the rode as fast as I can to avoid getting hit by other vehicles since the car looses power. The ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 3, 2022
Just purchased this Jeep August 31, 2022. This is the 2nd time that while driving the vehicle suddenly shows very high RPM and will barely move. Could the previous repair to the engine recall have failed? I have an appointment to take the vehicle for service again. The first time the dealership said they did updates to fix the problem.
Incident date: Jun 17, 2022
Vehicle is failing to shift correctly causing low acceleration and road safety issues. Cruise control and manual shift paddles not working, multiple warning lights on.
Incident date: Oct 29, 2022
Daughter was driving. Came to a stop sign, proceeded through after stopping and the the car's accelerator wouldn't work and the car stalled in the middle of the intersection. She had to turn if off and it started back up after a few "weird" sounds. Took it to a shop we trust, they checked it quickly and couldn't find a reason. Checked the battery:fine. Checked the oil: was low, told to return... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the speedometer failed to properly show the speed after exceeding 10 MPH. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift properly. Additionally, the vehicle was slow to accelerate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed the molded lead fram... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
E320
(2004) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 2, 2022
Incident date: Oct 27, 2022
October 26, 2022 my 2004 Mercedes model E320 W211 VIN # [XXX] dash pop out warning " Brake Wearing visit workshop" October 27, 2022 I had the brake pads and wear sensors both replaced and test drive verified car running normal for 30 minutes then dash pop out RED warning "Brake malfunction stop vehicle" plus transmission shifter stick to parking port can not be shift to other position, so can not... Read more
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2013) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 2, 2022
Incident date: Oct 8, 2022
Superior Protection Plan Information for 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Service Echelon Automotive [XXX] Wed, Nov 2, 2022 at 8:34 AM To: [XXX] Cc: [XXX],[XXX] [XXX], Here are some photos of the rear driver side brake system where it is locking up on you. I want to express my disappointment in whoever sold you this vehicle and not only sold it to you in this condition but if I heard you correctly, they s... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2022
While driving my car normally 9 dashboard lights came on suddenly including the check engine, ABS, brakes while at the same time the dials on the dashboard including the rpms, speedometer, oil temperature and more all stopped working. This happened suddenly while the car was in drive and also caused issues with the transmission as the car stopped shifting gears properly and was driving very rough... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
Hello everyone. I NEED HELP i have a 2021 hyundai elantra and i have had the same issue for over 10k+ miles and 6 months. My traction control light, (no matter what speed or acceleration/deceleration.) will flicker on and off, make a horrible noise almost as if the ABS is applying but no ABS light comes on, and the pedals will go stiff and the whole car jerks. My 2021 elantra has had a new tr... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2022
I was leaving a drive-through. Crossing traffic when my 2022 Tuscan N-Line just stopped accelerating the engine started to shake and SUV became unresponsive. As I was crossing traffic. I was almost hit. Moved the SUV to the middle of the street. Turned the SUV off. Restarted it. The SUV had no power and the check engine light came on. The engine started shaking violently. A bad burning smell ( lik... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2022
Water has collect in race strip light, since then I’ve been experiencing electrical problems with the car.
Incident date: Oct 28, 2022
Traveling on a clear, dry highway on a sunny morning and once again the next day we experienced phantom braking. This occurred three times in two days. In all cases we were traveling at 75mph and were using the adaptive cruise control. In all cases there were reflections in the road from the heat mirage or from something far down the road. The car acted as if it saw something in the road and brake... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2022
Lead frame in transmission, causing downshifts in my truck and cruise control and speedometer shut off.I noticed theres a recall for issue but only on some. I'll be driving and all of a sudden wrench pops up and downshifts and dash components quit working and only runs in certain gears.also had to put 2 timing chains in,both at 50000 miles, 3 vacuum pumps for the brake system which both of these w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2022
I have experienced either failure to gain speed or sudden acceleration burst when I accelerate step by step from around 30 to 40 miles/hr or 40 to 50 miles/hr.
Incident date: Oct 30, 2022
I was driving to Harrisburg, PA on the highway traveling at around 68 mph and my car dashboard said Engine Power is Reduced speed Reduced to 45 mph and it instantly slowed to that speed. Then it counted down very quickly to 35 and then 25 before I could find a safe place to pull off to the side of the road. I turned off my car, waited for a bit and then turned it back on, it still said Engine Po... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2022
I was driving back home from Harrisburg, PA on the highway traveling at around 72 mph and my car dashboard said Engine Power is Reduced speed Reduced to 45 mph and it instantly slowed to that speed. It took quite a while to find a place to pull of to the side of the road because of the area I was in. It was quite frightening because everyone else is going the actual speed limit of 70 mph or over... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2022
I was on the highway traveling at around 68 mph and my car dashboard said Engine Power is Reduced speed Reduced to 45 mph and it instantly slowed to that speed. Fortunately I was able to pull of to the side of the road quickly and I turned off my car, waited for a bit and then turned it back on, it still said Engine Power is Reduced, so I turned it back off and waited again. This was at night, in... Read more
Incident date: Sep 30, 2022
I was getting on the I15 freeway. After I entered, I set the cruise control and it immediately began to accelerate the vehicle to maximum speed. I was unable to turn it off and had to repeatedly push the brakes to keep the speed below 70 + mph. Smoke from the brakes began to fill the passenger compartment. I got off the freeway and when I slowed to about 20 mph, I heard a clunk under the dash... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2022
The speed control system was working recently then stopped for no reason. It does NOT register info on the dashboard or engage. Completely out. Due to the recalls for so many others, this needs to be added to your list.
FREIGHTLINER
SPRINTER 3500
(2012) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 30, 2022
Incident date: Oct 21, 2022
ABS SPEED SENSOR, TRACTION REAR SPEED SENSOR FAULT CODE C0037 AND C003A. SPEED REDUCES TO 20MPH HIGH ENGINE RPM REV OVER 3000 RPM
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLE 350
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 30, 2022
Incident date: Oct 29, 2022
I was turning on to a busy street and the throttle became unresponsive. I verified the car was in drive. There was no engine noise when pressing the accelerator pedal. I stopped the car and shifted to park and then back to drive and the car responded normally.
Incident date: Oct 10, 2022
I purchased this vehicle less than 30 days. It had 29,257 miles. From day one, the vehicle came with no heating. When you push for heat, the cold AC blows. The part is in national back order. Secondly, when driving car at 20- 45 miles there is vibration, like a window is down when on a highway, but I'm driving in my neighborhood with all windows up. The vibration is unbearable. Thirdly and most im... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
SPRINTER 2500
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 30, 2022
Incident date: Jun 20, 2021
The cruise control system and related systems (distance control and automatic braking) repeatedly malfunction. Specifically the systems go off and on without warning. For example, when driving at highway speed the systems will suddenly shut off causing the vehicle to slow down (presumably without brake lights to alert the driver behind). Also presumably the automatic braking ceases to work when... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2022
Phantom braking occurs in the Tesla Model Y when the vehicle’s TACC system is engaged. This is not auto drive, this is the systems Traffic Aware Cruise Control. Unexpected Braking occurs decreasing “cruise speed” approximately 8-11 miles per hour in a matter of seconds. On a trip from the Dallas TX area to the Colorado Springs area, this unexpected phantom braking occurred approximately 3 do... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2022
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE FREEWAY APPROXIMATELY GOING 55MPH, THEN I WANTED TO BREAK SLIGHTLY, BUT I WAS UNABLE TOO, BECAUSE MY CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. IT DIDNT WANT TO STOP. LUCKILY THERE WASNT CARS NEXT ME. I MANAGED TO PULL MY EMERGENCY BREAK UP AND SLAM ON MY BREAKS AGAIN. CAR GOT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULDNT FIND AN ISSUE. THIS HAPPENED 10/21/22. AND IT HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN 10... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2022
As I was driving I was addressed with a speed reduction warning and it followed with a very abrupt problem with speed as it was reduced drastically and almost getting rear-ended in the process I was able to pull over but very unsafely and without warning
Incident date: Sep 2, 2022
At night the wipers run when cruise control is engaged even though the windshield is clean and there is no precipitation. This situation also occurs when Autopilot is engaged. I've complained to Tesla's service center about this issue. I have text documentation to attach as evidence. A web search indicates there are many Tesla owners complaining about these issues for years. I've owned the car for... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2022
While leaving the bank parking lot my 2015 Rav 4 started to accelerate while my foot was on the brakes. I barely missed hitting an incoming car. This was not first time something like this happened. There were other incidents prior to this but I dismissed them as maybe me hitting the wrong pedal.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
The cruise control doesn’t work at all, then I’ve only had the car for always two years and the power steering is giving me issues. Also when I roll the window up or dwn the lights will flicker
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
While driving at speeds around or above 20 mph when turning left the ABS or braking system begins activating causing a very serious hazard. This does not happen at any speeds when turning right. This has been reported by numerous Ryker owners. I have brought it into the shop and they are not able to locate or resolve the issue. This is an extremely dangerous situation as the biker will lose contr... Read more