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 16, 2022
I was driving my daughter’s 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid to the gym early one Sunday morning. I pulled into the parking lot to park the car. When I stopped to put the car in park the car suddenly accelerated and I drove through the glass wall of the gym. The car accelerated through the gym, hit a metal pole , and crashed into a wall on the far side of the gym. The front end of the driver’s side ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 10, 2022
Engine Check Light On took in for diagnostic and was told nothing was wrong just over heated. Taken in multiple times. Finally on February 10, 2022 a visual inspection of leak was done to find rear main seal blew out and leaking oil! At which point it was recommended replacing engine. Through a search on 2011 Chevrolet Equinox it was found to be a common problem for this model. Also mentioned was ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2022
Stopped working with a message ' radar control in not available'
Incident date: Sep 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. During the incident, the engine's RPMs suddenly increased before the vehicle erroneously accelerated forward and crashed into a tree causing body damage to the vehicle. During the crash, no injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The ve... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 9, 2022
This is aTesla Model S electric car. The battery was 80% charged at the time of the incident. Under normal driving at a speed of around 40 MPH in a city road road, suddenly the car lost power. The steering wheel locked and I had no control over the car. Display screen in the instrument panel and the large central tocuh screen display blacked out. A few seconds later, the car control returned and I... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2022
While driving on an open highway using the Tesla Auto Pilot (Adaptive Cruise Control, NOT Full Self Driving), we experienced 3 separate instances of unexpected braking. In each case, we were on flat terrain with no vehicles in front of us for hundreds of yards. The weather was sunny and warm with few clouds in the sky. We were driving westbound between 10am and 1pm at the time of the incidents.... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2022
The vehicle went into "REDUCED POWER" (Turtle Mode) error. Which reduced the power and the ability to accelerate out of an intersection and away from incoming traffic. I followed the recommendations of powering the vehicle off. It would correct itself then randomly does the same thing. This is SAFETY ISSUE and needs to be resolved before someone gets into a major accident which will result in ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2022
The vehicle is showing the same issues as found in the Honda Service Bulletin 20-029 for "9-Speed A/T Hard Upshift with Steady Acceleration", and an occasional hesitation or slip. Our Honda Pilot has a Honda 6-Speed Automatic Transmission and AWD. The transmission has just had a full service, which included a "transmission fluid exchange to include torque converter lines" and replacing the trans... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2022
The adaptive cruise control. is subject to sudden phantom braking. On several occasions when the cruise control is engaged the vehicle will brake for no reason. On one occasion the sudden braking caused a semi-truck behind me to swerve just barely avoiding an accident. On another occasion the vehicle braked so hard that we skidded. There is no warning when the phantom braking will occur. The ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2022
My vehicle dashboard says Engine Power is reduced. This has happened to me before and I know that it starts slowing down quickly and then just stops. I turned off my car and waited for three minutes, and turned my car back on - it still showed Engine Power is Reduced, so I turned it back off for about 5 minutes and turned it back on and then it was back to normal. I've reported this before. This ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2022
I had almost gotten to the exit from the highway to get to my job, I was driving at approximately 56 mph. And my car dashboard started saying Engine Power is Reduced and then it started to flash slowing to 52 mph, slowing to 48 mph, etc. Fortunately I was able to safely make my exit and pull into a parking lot where I turned my car off and waited for 5 minutes and turned it back on it still said... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. While driving on a ramp at slow speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2022
On or about 10/11/22 while driving I completely lost control of the vehicle suddenly. I was unable to break or use my steering wheel. The vehicle rolled over twice and the front airbags failed to deploy.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 16, 2022
The incident occurred when I attempted to shift the transfer case into 4-Low. The sequence of events is as follows: 1. I stopped the vehicle and shifted into Park. 2. With my foot on the brake, I shifted into neutral and attempted to move the transfer case lever from 4-High, to 4-Low. 3. As I started to move the transfer case lever, a warning appeared in the instrument cluster stating, "Vehi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2022
Incident occurred immediately after a full stop at an intersection. When I hit the gas pedal, the transmission sounded like shifting to Neutral gear, resulting in loud grinding, and with complete loss of power. Had do pull over the shoulder, place it on parking mode and then back to drive gear and continue. Now almost every time it's going to shift gears, you can hear and feel the a hard shifting... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2022
While in Cruise control: I.e.going 70 + mph, when passing large trucks (18 wheelers) the vehicle will hard break down to 50 mph. Vehicles traveling behind don’t expect this and are barely able to stop from hitting into my back end. Only happens with large 18 wheelers, seems to be Trucks that are white in color. It has happened several times previously, stopped at dealer, told nothing wrong, reco... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2022
When engaging cruise control on the highway we experienced phantom braking 2 times in 90 seconds while on an empty road. This was the first time we ever used the cruise control on the highway. The braking was aggressive, and enough to strain the passenger neck. It was scary and without warning. We feel it is too dangerous to use cruise control on our vehicle ever again for feet of causing an accid... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2016) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 15, 2022
Incident date: Sep 30, 2022
The infotainment center seems to malfunction and push buttons on it's own or not respond to input, which seems related to a more serious problem I experienced where the gauge cluster was not reading anything out when I was driving, including not knowing what speed I was at or what gear I was in. I had to turn the vehicle off several times and restart it several times before the issue resolved.
Incident date: Oct 4, 2022
Traveling between Colorado and Missouri, multiple instances of "phantom braking" where, without warning, the car would brake suddenly and very sharply, such that the tires would squeal and items in the back seat slid onto the floor. There were no obstacles, the weather was clear and there was no reason for it to do so. We were only using the cruise control and not the self driving program. Our s... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2022
Car repeatedly, randomly slams in brakes while cruise control engaged for no apparent reason. Not speeding, no other cars or blockages around, open highway on a bright, clear day.
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
The power steering mechanism stopped working, therefore I cannot turn the wheel. The gear shifter/drive train stopped working, therefore I cannot go into reverse, I am stuck in 3rd gear. It is unsafe because when I go to turn I cannot turn the wheel at times. I have issues braking. All of these issues are recalls on the vehicle. GM states that the recalls were performed seven years ago in San Juan... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2022
While driving on freeway on a clear day with no other cars in front of me the car suddenly hard brakes such that one could feel the anti locking activating. I was lucky there were no cars behind me or it would have been vary dangerous. There was a car on my right but it was holding its lane and there was no visible reason for emergency braking.
Incident date: Oct 11, 2022
While on the highway, the car threw the following error message: "Electrical system: malfunction! Safely stop vehicle" I was able to drive for a mile or so to pull into a residential street and at that point, the vehicle just wouldn't move. It was essentially stalled, and I had to call roadside assistance to have it towed. After a few days, I receive an update from the dealer that the motor needs ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2022
Husband returning home, pulled into carport and as he removed foot from accelerator to brake, accelerator pedal kept accelerating. This caused explorer to hit carport awning, classic 65 mustang, 2007 Harley and shed. Airbags did not work. Accelerator is still pressed to floorboard.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 12, 2022
Braking system caused my daughter to have an accident. My 2018 Honda Accord sport has been braking on its own for quite some time now. I attempted to turn off all safety features but somehow missed the braking system feature. The car will brake on its own with nothing in front of it. It will give beeping noises and flash “brake” on the dashboard. On 10/12/2022 my daughter was on the interstat... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 13, 2022
My vehicle dashboard says Engine Power Reduced then proceeds to slowing to 35 then counts down quickly. This morning I was in an area that I couldn't pull off to the side for about 1/2 mile. It slows down to the point that it's frightening then it goes to zero and will not move! Fortunately I was in an area where I could finally pull off to the side of the road when it got to that point. This ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 17, 2022
I was going out for breakfast and my car dashboard said Engine Power is Reduced. I pulled off to the side of the road and turned off my car. I waited for about 5 minutes and turned it back on, but it still said Engine Power is Reduced. I turned it back off and waited for another 5 minutes and turned it back on and it was ok again.
Incident date: Jul 8, 2020
My car stalls while in motion without warning. While driving the vehicle will randomly speed up and rpm will fly up without command. I also experience a lot of engine power loss randomly the vehicle will bog and be slow. Occasionally when I press on the accelerator I can almost go to the floor with no response from the vehicle. Speed acceleration response is delayed approximately 30 seconds occasi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 5, 2022
Issues with turbo actuator. The check engine light stays on and I've taken it to Nissan multiple times to diagnose but they want to change me diagnostic fee every time and still can't tell me what the issue is. The truck loses power while driving without any warning and goes into limp mode where it will not go past 5-10 mile per hour. According to boards and Nissan this is a very common problem wi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2022
My car just shut down out of the blue. There was no warning of any sort as far as anything showing that needed repair with my vehicle. It just started jerking one day. I took it to the Kia dealership and they confirmed that it was due to the recall part but will not fix the part.
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
But I am driving my car will not go it's normal speed I can hold the pedal to the floor and it slowly will gain speed 30 to 40 miles an hour when I stop at a red light my car will literally go 5 miles an hour With my pedal being all the way to the floor until I shut it off and turn the key back-and-forth five times The part that I need is on back order Nissan can't make them fast enough this is ve... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2022
I have owned the Bay Star for a month, since 9/15/2022. In that time, the “Service Advance Track” warning has come on 4 times. When this happens, the traction control, cruise control, and hill assist features do not work. They advertised these as safety features and now they are gone. Also, the info display is filled with the message above and I can’t see my trip info. It’s very frustratin... Read more
Incident date: Oct 11, 2022
Purchased a 2023 Kia K5 in August 2022 and as of Oct 2022 it has 800 miles. Four times within that period when I was either stopped or coming to a stop the acceleration excessively increased to 4 or more RPMs. I held my brake hard and put it in Neutral in which the RPMs got higher so I proceeded to Park. The first 3 times (while in traffic) it lowered the RPMs back down to normal. The 4th time ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2022
I have a 2021 Can Am Ryker Rally. At approximately 3,000 miles I noted that when in a left turn the rear tire beings to wobble back and forth. During this time the throttle becomes unresponsive and reduces power. Example, I can be in a gradual left turn going 40 PMH and when the wobble begins, it will drop the speed to around 25 MPH. When I come out of the turn, power returns and the bike return t... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2019
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while at a stop when the contact accelerated to move forward and the vehicle accelerated at high speed and the contact noticed white smoke was coming from the exhaust of the vehicle. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the rings around the engine needed to be replaced and that the vehicle had an oil leak, The veh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while his son was idled, he depressed the accelerator pedal, but the engine failed to engage. No warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was app... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2022
Driving on cruise control (not autopilot), in the following conditions: on an interstate highway with all lanes in the traveling direction clear, no obstructions and no traffic to the front or to either side of the car, on a straight road with no bridge or on or off ramp in front of the car, daylight and no rain or or other participation, the car can unexpectedly and without warning aggressi... Read more
HYUNDAI
IONIQ HYBRID
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 10, 2022
Incident date: Sep 5, 2022
While on cruise control when climbing a hill, a warning appears telling me that the EV has failed and that I should stop driving the vehicle. At the time the warning appears the cruise control shuts off and the car slow dramatically. All 5 times this has happened the vehicles behind me have had to slam on their brakes in order to avoid running me over. Once it was a triaxle dump truck, fully lo... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2022
On Oct. 9, 2022, at approximately 6:30 p.m. EDT, I was braking as I approached a stop sign. For the first second or two of braking, the van slowed normally. Then, as the van was nearly stopped at the stop sign (probably 10 feet ahead of it, and approx. 5 mph or less), while my foot was still gently depressing the brake pedal, the van began to accelerate on its own. In response, I stepped down h... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
SPRINTER 2500
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 10, 2022
Incident date: Oct 10, 2022
The adaptive cruise control system and forward collision system since the vehicle was new has frequently not worked or stops working. The cruise control system that is tied to the forward collision systems would stop working causing the vehicle to decelerate as no throttle input was present and cause the need to use the foot throttle. The vehicle is available for inspection. As this has happened w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2022
While driving on the interstate with the cruise control on the car suddenly applied the brakes. There were no other cars around and no objects on the roadway. This happened twice without warning on 10/09/2022. I have not reported this issue to Tesla yet but plan to.
Incident date: Jan 3, 2017
Everyone calls it's the ford death shake. It is very dangerous and after reading online there is several having the same issue you lose complete control of your vehicle when it happens hit a pot hole bump in the road or going over 50 mph I have wrecked my truck due to this issue and it seems thousands of people are having the same issue it is going to end up injuring someone very badly or taking s... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2022
I have had 6-8 instances where the car "takes off" and accelerates without my touching the accelerator. It is not full-acceleration but strong enough that if a car was immediately in front of me - I might hit it. Hitting the brakes stops the acceleration and the car then drives normally. In all cases - the cruise control has been "off" and the unintended acceleration has occurred just after first ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2020
I was driving uphill on a winding, narrow highway, California State Route 18, when the range extender kicked in and I had a sudden loss of power. I could not maintain vehicle speed. It was terrifying. I was alone. I didn't know what to do. I turned on my hazard lights and I pulled over every time vehicles came up behind me.
Incident date: Sep 30, 2022
Adaptive Cruise control, and Automatic emergency Braking intermittently fail to function.
Incident date: May 4, 2022
I have repaired the mass airflow sensor 3x’s by the dealership who sold me the car the last 2 times they didn’t make me pay for it.and I’m still having the same issue. My car will jerk and idle and I was driving and all of a sudden I loss speed and I was accelerating but the car was only moving about 5 miles per hr the cars behind me almost hit me in the rear end. The longer I drive the car ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 8, 2022
I drove the car to the spot to park my car , with the normal way as always, lower the speed so I can get into my spot. All of sudden , I felt like something pushed really hard behind my car and it moved forward really fast , I couldn't expect anything like that happened at the moment and lost control , it hit the parking pole so hard and my front end broken
Crash
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2015) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 9, 2022
Incident date: Sep 8, 2022
My wife came home and told me there was something wrong with our truck. I went and inspected it and found nothing. The next day i drove the truck about 30 miles up river. Coming home I was traveling around 55 mph the truck came to a sudden slow down as if I had locked up the brakes then drove fine again. This happened three or four times not as bad as first time. While in town stopped at a light i... Read more
Incident date: Sep 26, 2022
My 2022 Model Y has severe phantom braking problems when cruise control or auto steer is activated. While driving at highway speeds the car slams on the brakes for no reason. This happened several times in 50 miles. I spoke to many other Tesla owners with the same problem. While driving at 70 mph on the interstate the car will suddenly and instantly apply the brakes hard. This is a severe sa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 7, 2022
Knock sensor recall was done in May 2022. Brought vehicle into service for Ac problem and oil change, which was completed. Was on highway going home 65 mph speed limit hit a hill, my engine light started flashing, my transmission downshifted and I lost all accelaration while on hill, speed wouldn’t go any higher then 50 at that point. Got to closest gas station and had car towed back to dealersh... Read more