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.

2,245,377 Total Complaints

140,173 Reported Crashes

56,794 Reported Fires

8,580 Reported 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

How to Read NHTSA Consumer Complaints › How NHTSA Investigations Work › Used Car: 7 Recall Checks to Run First › The Takata Airbag Recall: Full Story › OBD-II Codes Explained › All Articles ›

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Showing 73,546 complaints - component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Incident date: Aug 21, 2026

I am writing to make you aware of a safety issue that I have encountered with my 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. On August 21, 2026, the gas pedal/throttle control just fell off as I was driving myself and infant on a busy three lane thoroughfare in [XXX]. I went to slow down the car by braking, but it was very difficult. I went into an empty bus lane so as not to get rear ended or crash into ... Read more

Incident date: Aug 25, 2026

While driving my truck on the highway at 65 mph the truck bucked hard and immediately downshifted into 2nd gear. This caused me to rapidly decelerate to approximately 40 mph, I am lucky there was not another vehicle behind me when this happened since rapid unexpected deceleration without brake lights is very dangerous. I had to drive the truck in limp mode at 45mph and approximately 4500 rpms to t... Read more

Incident date: Jun 20, 2026

Unable to use cruise control Unable to use lane control Unable to use tire pressure gauge Unable to use auto brake system Car shakes due to a sudden decrease in engine performance. Turbocharger issues Powertrain System issues ECM Failure

Incident date: Aug 24, 2026

THe component was the speed control deactivation switch Manufacturer Recall Number 05S28 NHTSA Recall Number05V017000 Recall Status Recall Incomplete. It is unknown if the part is available for inspection but the vehicle is. The fire occurred while driving and left me stranded on the side of the road with five dogs, 2 hours away from home with no way of getting back. I had to find a hotel that ... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Aug 27, 2026

While driving this EV with cruise control on, the dashboard suddenly showed a message that “Smart Cruise Control conditions not met”. Attempting to re-engage the cruise control did not work and then the vehicle suddenly lost all propulsion (pressing the accelerator did nothing). The car quickly slowed to about 20 mph before we could maneuver it to the shoulder and turn it off. After a coupl... Read more

Incident date: Aug 30, 2026

On [XXX], I was driving westbound from Missouri into Oklahoma in my 2021 Ford F-150 XL. While traveling approximately 75 mph on the highway, I moved into the passing lane to overtake another vehicle. As I accelerated and applied additional throttle to pass, the transmission downshifted into passing gear. After completing the pass, the vehicle continued to accelerate on its own even after I releas... Read more

Incident date: Aug 29, 2026

Driving on highway using assisted driving pro (hands off steering wheel and feet off pedals). Speed set for 65 or 67. Driver's phone call came up on display screen. Passenger answered and hung up on screen. Driver did not touch wheel. Car started accelerating. Reached 93 mph before realized what was happening and able to apply brakes. Short time later tried to reengage speed and verbally requested... Read more

Incident date: Aug 3, 2026

system works intermittently--sometimes won't engage--other times suddenly cuts off when engaged

Incident date: Sep 2, 2026

The left side of my screen where speed, gas and other essential safety features will not show

Incident date: Mar 24, 2025

I have been to the dealership numerous times since buying the vehicle over engine issues. Typically what happens is either the epc, check engine light, or both come on. All advanced driver systems turn off and the car enters limp mode where I can barely get it above 30 mph. The first time I was told it was an issue with spark plugs. The second time I was told a part did not get put back on correct... Read more

Incident date: Sep 2, 2026

While driving at speed on public roads on [XXX], the primary 12-inch digital instrument cluster suffered a total blackout while the vehicle was powered and moving. The failure eliminated all speedometer readings, battery state-of-charge indicators, gear selections, and safety telltales/warning lights in violation of FMVSS 101. When previously reporting intermittent digital screen and electrical dr... Read more

Incident date: Aug 21, 2026

On XXX at approx 1:29 PM, I was driving my 2023 Nissan Rogue (purchased new XXX Chapman Nissan Philadelphia) on [XXX] with my family including 2 young children and my brother-in- law, heading to [XXX]. At highway speed (~65 mph), "Service CVT Power Reduced" warning appeared, complete loss of acceleration. I had to press accelerator to floor to avoid crash. I managed to drive approx 1 mile to emerg... Read more

Incident date: Jan 29, 2026

I am reporting ongoing safety-related powertrain and drivability concerns involving my 2021 Ford Explorer ST in Fresno, California. The vehicle has experienced recurring transmission and driveline problems, including harsh or delayed shifting, hesitation, abrupt gear engagement, jerking/surging, and inconsistent acceleration. These symptoms are similar to transmission concerns documented by Ford ... Read more

Incident date: Aug 17, 2026

Genesis sent out a map update. When it was updated, it stayed in the buffering. Mode, I cannot use my display. Phone does not work map, does not work. Navigation does not work. The dashboard speed limit does not work. Everything is in the buffering mode. Spoke to Genesis corporation complaint manager several times it's been over three weeks And they have no resolution to this problem. Never even... Read more

Incident date: Oct 10, 2025

Fall of 2025. After braking in a round a bout vehicle would not drive. I had enough forward momentum to get through the round a bout and pull over. Once stopped I shut off truck and restarted it. The transmission worked after restarting. Took truck to dealer but they could not determine any problems. August 2026 same issue occurred in another round a bout. I was able to limp to a side stre... Read more

Incident date: Aug 17, 2026

I am filing this complaint regarding Nissan's handling of an open safety recall involving my vehicle and the subsequent engine failure. Nissan issued Recall 26V080 concerning an engine-related defect that can cause engine oil breakdown, bearing damage/seizure, engine damage, and loss of motive power. My vehicle developed the red oil warning light, check-engine light, and reduced engine power befo... Read more

Incident date: Aug 22, 2026

2017 Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid, approximately 81,000 miles, experienced intermittent hesitation/loss of propulsion when accelerating. When acceleration is requested, the vehicle can hesitate before power is delivered, creating a serious safety concern when entering, merging into, or crossing traffic because expected acceleration is not immediately available. Diagnostic testing identified fault... Read more

Incident date: Jul 25, 2026

Brought my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport into the dealer on July 25, 2026 for the ECU and Theta II software update (Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2). Before the recall service my car drove perfectly with no issues. After the recall service my car is extremely jerky when shifting at low speeds and has long delays when trying to accelerate. This problem is particularly apparent on cold start, and less so... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2026

While driving the car, the transmission dont shifted correctly jurking the car almost causing the car behind to crash into my car. Sometimes in the highway the car goes into neutral or wont shift correctly, this starts creating traffic and almos accidents. This is well know by the factory and they never addressed a big issue with their cars.

Incident date: Aug 29, 2026

The contact rented a 2025 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while slowly pulling into a parking space, the engine revved and the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and shifted the transmission to reverse(R). During the failure, the vehicle crashed into a wall causing damages to the driver’s side front bumper. A Police repor... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Aug 10, 2026

I was driving and all of a sudden all the warning lights start going off on my vehicle’s dashboard and the car jerks back and forth while decelerating. This has happened twice on the highway putting me in danger of crashing or making cars around me crash. On a seperate occasion my brakes failed, causing the car to jerk abruptly in traffic, thankfully I was able to pull over. Some times the ca... Read more

Incident date: Aug 10, 2026

My van at times doesn't mater the incline it will say hill side assist and will lock the brakes I can be stuck for an hour or so found pumping the breaks will help release the lock quicker had dealership lock at it and they can't figure it out this has been going on for a year or so what can I do this isn't safe for at times I'm in traffic

Incident date: Aug 28, 2026

Earlier that morning the cluster displayed "Service Power Steering - Drive With Care" at 12,925 miles. I photographed it at a traffic light. The vehicle drove normally on that leg, steering assist was not lost, and I dismissed the notification, which cleared. I parked. On restarting a short time later, the vehicle went into failure mode. While driving on surface streets it lost power steering ass... Read more

Incident date: Aug 31, 2026

Front forward camera unavailable, World wide shortage of part. No known date of supply.

Incident date: Aug 16, 2026

While driving the truck suddenly shifted into first year with the automatic transmission. This was the third time that this has happened.

Incident date: Aug 30, 2026

I would like to report 3 issues. One, happened yesterday, XXX. Driving on [XXX], in clear weather, no obstacles, no vehicles around, the vehicle engaged emergency breaking and pulled seatbelts as if there was an imminent crash. Second issue, the carpet behind rear doors is separating on both sides, preventing the rear doors from closing normally and it is catching the seatbelt prong. Third iss... Read more

Incident date: Aug 31, 2026

The buttons on the steering wheel that set the cruise control stick and so do the buttons that turn the safety features on and off.

Incident date: Aug 29, 2026

The vehicle will randomly stall while driving. Mostly as you push the accelerator, it will act as though a fuel filter is clogged causing it to stall. If the vehicle manages to continue forward without stalling, it lunges forward unexpectedly and can be a significant distance. I took my vehicle in over a year ago for this issue, was told it was a "software update" issue. Vehicle was 4 years ol... Read more

Incident date: Aug 30, 2026

On August 30, 2026, I was driving my 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy and was stopped in a fast-food drive-through line for approximately 15 minutes. Auto Hold was engaged, and for most of that time I also had my foot on the brake. Immediately before the incident, I believed the truck in front of me was finally beginning to move, so I recall beginning to release my foot from the brake. Wi... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Oct 16, 2025

The left side of the digital instrument cluster in my 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 intermittently goes completely blank while driving. When this occurs, I cannot see critical vehicle information, including my speed, fuel level, warning indicators, and other important vehicle functions. The failure happens randomly and without warning. Approximately two months ago, I took the vehicle to an authorize... Read more

Incident date: Feb 2, 2026

I am reporting repeated drivetrain and transmission failures involving my 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. The problems began with failure of the driveshaft carrier bearing, which was replaced with a brand-new component by an independent mechanic. The transfer case subsequently required replacement and was replaced with a brand-new unit by a reputable dealership. After these repairs, the original t... Read more

Incident date: Aug 16, 2026

While I was driving my 2019 Honda Civic Sport in active traffic, I suddenly lost control of the vehicle. The car starting jerking violently left to reach right and in a circle , causing me to be pulled and swayed across the freeway. The steering wheel became extremely loose and was spinning freely, and I was unable to control the direction the vehicle was traveling. The vehicle eventually swayed ... Read more

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Jul 21, 2026

On July 21, 2026, a catastrophic safety defect occurred involving sudden, unprompted vehicle acceleration and a complete loss of braking capability. While operating the vehicle in reverse, it experienced a sudden, violent, and uncommanded surge in acceleration. Simultaneously, the braking system completely failed to respond to the driver's input, resulting in an initial collision with a vehicle p... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Aug 17, 2026

I was pulling into a parking spot in a parking garage and pressed on the brake. The brake pedal did not offer the usual resistance and went flat to the floor. The car began to accelerate and smashed into a concrete I-beam on the wall of the garage. I put the car in park and kept my foot on the brake but it still kept trying to move forward. Then I put it in reverse and it slowly backed away from t... Read more

Crash

Incident date: May 23, 2018

I’d like to report this vehicle and its engine as I did not know I could before we have had this car since 2015 This engine has chronic repeated issues that Chevy would patch once under “special coverages” or “extended warranty” and it fails again and again but they only honor it 1 time even if it fails yet again due to bad engineering or design flaws. This car has had 3 water pumps ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 20, 2026

On June 20 2026 at 2:07pm Central Time there was a check engine light displayed on the dash of my vehicle 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy, while it was parked in the garage of my home and was just powered up. I had then performed the vehicle diagnostics test (pictures attached) that showed that there was an issue with the 'Transmission Control System' with detail that a full system check is reco... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 2026

The Forward Collision Warning system will shut off while driving and an error message will appear. Also, the entire dashboard and radio goes blank and restarts while driving. Also, the backup camera often does not work, instead of an image the screen will flash purple then go black without any image at all. We have brought the car in multiple times for repair, the dealer has had the car for well o... Read more

Incident date: Aug 27, 2026

While I was driving on the freeway the dash lit up with multiple lights. Simultaneously, I lost power to the car and could not accelerate and only break. The steering was tight and I could not steer correctly. Then a message that said, CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM STOP THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY. The was slowing down and I had to pull over on the side of the freeway. There were no fluids leaki... Read more

Incident date: Aug 28, 2026

As we were driving along the freeway at highway speeds, the dash lights completely cut out on my ram 1500 2019. At first, this seemed to simply affect the visibility of the central console, speed controls, light indicators, etc. But then as we continued on and proceeded to exit the freeway, the entire vehicle shut down and lost total power steering speed control and power braking. I had to rapidl... Read more

Incident date: Aug 21, 2026

While operating the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly began severely hesitating and stalling. During the incident, engine RPM surged to approximately 6,000 RPM and accelerator pedal response became abnormal. The vehicle was not responding normally to accelerator input, which significantly affected the ability to operate the vehicle safely. The vehicle subsequently recorded diagnostic trouble code P03... Read more

Incident date: Aug 28, 2026

After initial start of engine and at idle there is surge of the engine and lunge forward while in drive. The danger is unexpected forward movement of the truck when pulling forward at idle by lunging forward with risk of hitting that which is directly in front such as a parked car or the front of my garage. This is an ongoing event.

Incident date: Aug 25, 2026

While operating a 2022 Tesla Model Y with Full Self-Driving (FSD Supervised) engaged, the vehicle failed to execute a right merge onto the CA-280 North freeway ramp in Redwood City, CA. Instead, FSD initiated an unexpected wrong-way maneuver down a downward off-ramp. As the vehicle headed toward a sharp left curve, it failed to decelerate sufficiently for the turn. The vehicle maintained speed on... Read more

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Aug 28, 2026

I have a 2013 Ford 150 King Ranch 4X4 with the 6R80 transmission and approximately 125k miles on it. This morning, I was stopped at a red light and upon accelerating my truck would not shift out of first gear. The speedometer stopped working, and engine light came on. I pulled over and turned off the truck to inspect it. I restarted the truck and it was shifting appropriately for about 5 miles w... Read more

Incident date: Jul 14, 2026

I bought this vehicle less than 60 days ago and there is transmission hesitation, hard engagement in lower gears, Rough jerking shifting along with acceleration lag. Erracric shifting and phantom braking. I have taken it into the dealership I bought it at at they are not seeing anything. It currently is at another Kia dealership for the past two days. This vehicle is going to cause an accident tha... Read more

Incident date: Feb 9, 2026

My vehicle experienced significant transmission shift issues, skipping gears, stuck in gears, going to wrong gears, and inability to shift, that left me disabled in intersections multiple times. The situation worsened over time and had to have the transmission replaced. The failure was diagnosed as a CDF coupling failure.

Incident date: Oct 12, 2024

ABS module failed causing ABS, traction control, and cruise control to stop functioning along with intermittent loss of power steering. Contacted multiple dealers which all stated the part is no longer available and no replacement part. This was a nuisance for two years until I towed a trailer and was merging onto an interstate when I lost traction due to wet roads and no traction control. Vehicle... Read more

Incident date: Aug 27, 2026

When traveling home from work 8/27/26, my cruise control shut off and my car immediately went into “limp” mode. This almost caused me to get into an accident with a tractor trailer, in which, I may not have survived. Immediately pulled over and tried to find out what had caused this and how to get it fixed. Nothing worked to get it out of “limp” mode. There were no warning lights or messag... Read more

Incident date: Aug 13, 2026

On XXX, my Chevrolet Silverado experienced a sudden, severe loss of normal braking shortly after I dropped my child off at school. When I attempted to stop at a stop sign, the vehicle would not stop normally. The brake pedal remained firm, but braking effectiveness was drastically reduced and required extreme force. The dashboard simultaneously displayed multiple warnings involving the brake/ABS s... Read more

Incident date: Aug 7, 2026

Execution of manufacturer safety recall service resulted in immediate, catastrophic transmission malfunction and sudden loss of motive power upon leaving the franchised dealership, creating an imminent road hazard. Details of the Incident: Recall Intake: On XXX, the vehicle was driven into the authorized Ford dealership Cloninger Ford of Morganton in [XXX] under its own power for an open manufac... Read more

Incident date: Aug 25, 2026

For over the past 18 months, Tesla FSD software deliberately removed the driver’s ability to control following distance, instead replacing it with fuzzy descriptions of “mad max, hurry, standard, chill, and sloth.” As a result the car cannot maintain a safe highway following distance as determined by the driver. When in Hurry and or Standard mode, the car will routinely reach speeds of 75 ... Read more

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Consumer Safety Complaints

What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?

How to interpret what you read

If you've experienced a defect

Read more from our blog