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: Feb 16, 2022
While parking car in garage, car suddenly surged forward although my foot was off gas and nearly hit end of garage. Engine Temp was relatively cold as it had just been started. This has happened several times before. Reported to dealer service the first time it happened and they did not fix.
Incident date: Mar 19, 2022
While driving with cruise control set to 90 mph, my vehicle rapidly decelerated to 70 mph — with no other vehicles around. The vehicle suddenly braked for no reason at all, multiple times. Autopilot was not engaged and I was steering the vehicle myself. This while driving West on HWY 76 in Colorado a clear sunny day around mile marker 141, near Proctor, CO. The middle of nowhere. I have a 5... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2021
We've owned this car since delivered in June 2021. Took a trip from AZ to MO in July 2021. When using cruise control, the system occasionally and severely activated the brakes when passing a large vehicle on a four lane divided highway and in some cases no one else was around on the 4 lane divided highway. Auto braking only happened if on cruise control and did not occur if cruise not activated. I... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2022
1) Cruise control randomly resets itself to different speeds. Happens several times daily. I can set it to 55 and 5 seconds later it will reset itself to 80 and accelerate suddenly, or vice-versa. It can change to any speed-either higher or lower than what I've set. Happened yesterday afternoon (3-17). First noted it being a problem 2-28 at about 6 pm MST while driving on 4 lane highway in Colo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2022
While driving on I 70 in Kansas with cruise control on, the car violently decelerated several times during a trip. This happened with no reason, with no object in the vehicle path and was like someone jamming the breaks and tire nearly skidding. If someone was behind me they surely would have rear-ended my car.
Incident date: Mar 18, 2022
I was making a turn at a slow speed and the the truck just stopped. Parking brake went on and basically had to restart my truck. From what Im reading online, this is a very common issue. I was in a very busy intersection and definitely put me at high risk.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
I have had my 2015 Chrysler 200 for about a year now and ever since I have had it. it has acted weird. Evetime I am driving down a hill at a slow pace, i loose power as if my car just switched to Neutral. It also jerks a lot when I am stopped on a hill going up and I start to go, then it will jerk like its delayed in the gears. I am very concerned for my safety. I have seen other recalls similar t... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2022
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHEN THE TELLURIDE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVE, THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING WILL ACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM, WITHOUT ANY OBJECTS IN THE ROAD. WHEN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO ITS FIRST OIL CHANGE AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED (2.15.2022). THE SECOND TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY A WEEK LATER. THE THIRD THIS... Read more
Incident date: May 24, 2019
While on vacation (my car was at home) a piece in my brakes broke and caused my break lights to be on constantly. When I tried starting my car the battery was dead. The break likes being on like they were ended up causing my battery to corrode by time I got home from the continuous energy drain. I was able to jumpstart my car but when I went to put my car in drive the vehicle would not accelerate ... Read more
LINCOLN
AVIATOR PHEV
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 18, 2022
Incident date: Feb 18, 2022
A warning appears on the dash "stop safely now" and the vehicle rapidly comes to a complete stop and is unable to be moved. This has occurred on three occasions, during 2 of which the car stalled in an active driving lane on a highway, resulting in life threatening situation. The app said "high voltage battery warning" triggered by "another event". Being investigated by Lincoln, who is re-acquirin... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2022
With cruise control on the vehicle abruptly applied breaking system without driving involvement and quickly reduced speed from 85 to 60 before driver could engage accelerator to prevent chance of being rear ended. I have a video file if needed.
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS CROSS SPORT
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 18, 2022
Incident date: Nov 3, 2021
My car’s door harness defect was a terrible safety issue!! I was merging onto a major 3-lane highway in New Jersey with my 3 children in the car, when my vehicle suddenly shut off, and the emergency brake came on! I could have easily been seriously rear-ended with my family in the backseat. A huge accident would have been the result. This frightening experience plays over in my mind every time I... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2021
I just brought this car on June 1 2021 then 2 month engine light came out after that October 1 2021 stop running it doesn’t run no more it start but don’t run at all
Incident date: Mar 17, 2022
Vehicle brakes randomly at highway speeds while utilizing ADAS. Brakes hard and fast without warning.
Incident date: Mar 16, 2022
Truck randomly has the notorious death wobble when going over bumps. It shakes violently and i have to slow down or stop. Tried to have it diagnosed by mechanic several times with no outcome, this is when I researched and found out a lot of ford trucks have this issue. Is it a severe safety issue and with the outrageous price of trucks, I can not buy a new one. Ford should have recalled this a lon... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
Random, sudden braking while in cruise control (auto pilot mode). There is NO object or other vehicle in the way when this happens. It has happened many times starting in December 2021 in a brand new vehicle and happened most recently 3 days ago. Every time it happens it is scary. Very disturbing and renders cruise control unusable. No word from Tesla that this is fixable or even a priori... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while reversing she depressed the accelerator pedal, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated in reverse crashing into the rear of the garage. None the air bags deployed. The contact attempted to depress the brakes however the brakes failed. The contact attempted to drive forward when the vehicle revved up again and accelerated i... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 16, 2022
I have a 1 month old Tesla Model 3 that when i use the cruise control every time i go past a truck on a 2 lane highway, my car will initiate emergency breaking. This has caused cars to almost rear end me. I took the car to Tesla to be serviced, and the issue didn't get any better. I have videos of this happening if you need them
Incident date: Mar 16, 2022
I was driving down the highway and as another car in front of me exited the highway my car suddenly and abruptly slowed down even though my lane was clear endangering me and the people behind me. This is at least the fourth time this has happened to me. I find the adaptive cruise control / autopilot to be defective and extremely un safe
Incident date: Jan 13, 2021
There are multiple issues going wrong with my car and I have 5 children and this makes me angry and scared to drive it 1. Vehicle completely shuts down if you go under 1/4 tank and NOT on red at all! No gas light or anything 2. The hesitation from stop to go is getting worse" mechanics tell me this is normal" for a focus and now sometimes when accelerating on the highway it gets stuck in certai... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2022
While cruise control is engaged, the vehicle will slam on the brakes when there are no obstacles or vehicles nearby. It happens out of nowhere and without any warning from the vehicle. We live in a more rural area and has happened on the interstate there each time. It is not a highly congested road and each time it has happened, there is nothing around. It has happened on numerous occasions and wi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 17, 2021
Sudden accelerations.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
Continuously intermittent lose of all main dash board information to include speed, all advanced safety features, display goes totally black. Continuously intermittent lose of infotainment system. Includes radio, gps, backup camera and all other options.
Incident date: Mar 10, 2022
While using adaptive cruise control, the car decelerates for no apparent reason. The rapid deceleration of the vehicle could cause the following car to rear end my car. There is no warning when this occurs. I have not reported it to the manufacturer because forums and news show that all owners are impacted. This has happened many times.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
While using adaptive cruise control on my Tesla Model Y on a 1974 mile trip to Florida and back the car would emergency brake for no reason. This happened at least 25 times on the trip. I believe this is being referred to "Phantom Breaking". So far I have been lucky and no one has rear ended me but that is a strong possibility.
Incident date: Feb 23, 2022
The vehicle looses power on the freeway and will continue to slow down despite repeatedly depressing the accelerator and holding it down. The vehicle has been brought in to Tesla and no fix has been found to this date. No warning lights go on and sounds are heard to alert to any problem. I have video of this.
Incident date: Mar 14, 2022
While in gear the throttle has accelerated uncontrollably without a foot on the pedal. It has happened twice now and both times resulted in significant damage. Applying the brake made no difference they were just overpowered by the motor. The vehicle is going to be towed to a body shop to get a repair estimate. Last time the damage was about $14,000. The vehicle is not safe if you cannot contr... Read more
Crash
FORD
ESCAPE HYBRID
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 15, 2022
Incident date: Dec 25, 2021
When driving with the automatic cruise control engaged it sometimes reads country road signs as speed limit signs. When I turn onto Dakota County road 85,as an example, it reads it as 85mph and accelerates to 85mph. I have to cancel the cruise to stop it. The speed limit that is shown on the instrument panel also changes to 85mph. The actual speed limit is 55mph. This has happened several times an... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 15, 2022
Incident date: Nov 29, 2021
My 2021 Atlas was braking or randomly turn off while I was slowing down at lights. The brakes were make a "gurgling" sound. I brought to service dept and was told they did not know what it was because they could not recreate it. The engine light went on 11/29/21 and I dropped at service. I was told it was the door harness. The service dept confirmed this.They actually told me I could drive but it ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
2016 Nissan Altima 29,000 MILES! FAULTY TRANSMISSION! Why hasn’t a RECALL been issued? Nissan dealership informed me that I will have to replace the transmission! This will cost me $4,500.00
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
Multiples times while the car was using cruise control we have had it unexpectedly and aggressively brake. This seems to happen when a car is coming towards us in the opposite lane. We have only had the car for 4 days. It is to the point we do not use the cruise control. If someone would have been behind us we would have gotten in an accident. We have also had the forward collision warning go of... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
Car will not accelerate. Error code P211800. Engine control system. Throttle control. Temp outside was 19degrees F. Check engine light is on.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2020) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 14, 2022
Incident date: Mar 14, 2022
DEF tank heater short causes wiring harness to melt and fault on diesel trucks, enabling limp mode. Limp mode is dangerous when hauling trailers over long distances. Faulty part is on 6 month backorder. No reparations from GM.
Incident date: Mar 13, 2022
When trying to accelerate after braking the vehicle has a MASSIVE hesitation where it just sits there doing nothing literally for a solid second. Not only being very frustrating it's IMO very dangerous. If I'm at a yield and then need to merge quickly, if I'm getting on a highway from a parking lot, if I'm trying to switch lanes in traffic, etc etc the vehicle just bogs down and does nothing for t... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
While driving at highway speeds the vehicle will brake suddenly. This has happened more than eight times in a single 100 mile trip. Potential for crash at high speeds and very unnerving for the driver and passengers.
Incident date: Mar 14, 2022
While I was parking the car suddenly accelerated rapidly, causing me to hit the parked vehicle in front of me. I have not yet had the car inspected.
Crash
Incident date: Mar 13, 2022
I would like to add a complaint for the phantom breaking while using the Autopilot function of the vehicle. While on a road trip across the country, I've experienced sudden deceleration while Autopilot was engaged. Nothing was impeding the vehicle and the screen did not note any obstacles. The weather was clear and it happened both during the day and at night. This feels extremely dangerous, as ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2022
While trying to pull out of a intersection, car will not move or will move very slowly. I have almost been t-boned twice with my family in the car. This happens intermittently, 4 times in the past year. After car is turned off and restarted the issue seems to go away until the next time. The needs to be a safety recall before someone gets seriously hurt.
Incident date: Mar 11, 2022
The vehicle, a 2018 Subaru Outback Limited 3.6R, was being pulled into the garage at the owner’s home. With brakes applied, and while putting vehicle into park, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward making contact with a suspended shelf attached to the back wall of the garage. The force of the vehicle was such that the shelf and back wall of the garage were completely separated from the home... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 11, 2022
Operating the vehicle at highway speed of 70 miles per hour on interstate 80 in Illinois. No visible traffic going in either direction for approximately 1/2 mile in all directions when the automatic braking happened for no apparent reason. Scared my wife and myself (both 74 years old) to death. Threw us both forward. My wife now refuses to drive in this Tesla and wants me to sell it. "Phantom Brak... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
The vehicle has failed to accelerate in various situations, i.e., after coming to a complete stop and turning onto a street with opposing and oncoming traffic. The issue has occurred intermittently for ~two months. Sometimes weeks without the issue resurfacing. Today, after running one errand early in the morning, the engine check appeared when we started the car and the vehicle went into limp ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 8, 2022
I took our 2018 Subaru Forester through a car wash. The usual washing procedure went just fine with me in the car idling in neutral as it went through. When it came to the end of the wash cycle, I coasted out and then shifted into drive. Instantly the car surged forward at an alarming speed and I could not stop it. The car crossed a busy street. I fortunately did not collide with cars. The car co... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 12, 2022
Without warning and with the lowest setting for front impact prevention my cruise control randomly slams on the brakes. This happens basically anytime I use the cruise control, so I just don’t anymore to prevent possible collision. It happens when no cars are around, when cars are in the oncoming lane but not crossing the line. It happens in any situation and it is very frustrating. I put in a... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2022
While using the ADAS the Tesla had several incidents of phantom braking. We would be going 80 and it would slam the brakes on and take us to 50. It did it several times on a drive from Dixon,CA to Flagstaff, AZ. There were no cars near or anything remotely concerning on the road at the time the incidents took place. We called Tesla and reported and they could find no codes or system issues.
Incident date: Feb 24, 2022
Bought my 2013 Gmc Terrain with 84,000 miles for $16,000. At 97,774 miles had to have it serviced for excessive oil consumption with timing cover and front crank seal cleaned and timing cover gasket replaced. Cost over $700. Then at 100333 miles had to have a new timing chain put in and water pump also the camshaft and cam phasers cost over $2,000. Now it is around 121000 miles and the lights on ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2021
When I have Autopilot (adaptive cruise) on, the car will often slow down, sometimes quite abruptly, when there is nothing to slow down for. This is often called Phantom Braking. This can easily put me at risk of getting rear-ended from another car. If I'm on ice or snow it can cause the car to slide and loose control. I have read on the internet and forums of many with 2021 or 2022 Model Y's w... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2022
E-Brake cable freezes or doesn't disengage causing damage to the rotors, brakes, pads. Dealership said that the e-brake cable had stretched causing the rear parking brake to lock and destroy the rotors, brake pads, shoes, wheel speed sensors, pad sensors. This issue was addressed while the vehicle was under manufacturer right before we purchased the vehicle. No action was taken due to no codes in... Read more
Incident date: Mar 11, 2022
Driving at highway speed and the speed decreased to 20 mph engine power reduced along with engine light came on extremely unsafe. Purchased Dec 10, 2018 39,000 miles . Kids and myself could’ve been hurt.
Incident date: Mar 5, 2022
while i was on the freeway the 2019 nissan rogue began to stall and the vehicle lost speed i try to get off the freeway almost crashed into on going freeway traffic and it stopped moving i put the car in park and i could not move the gears it was like they were stuck.no warning lights came on.I got the vehicle towed home, Then monday morning i got it towed to the dealer the service rep told me it ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 10, 2022
Incident date: Jan 11, 2022
I purchased a brand new 2021 VW Atlas Cross Sport . In January I started experiencing major electrical sensor failures including automatically opening the windows, engaging the electronic parking brake when in motion, power steering sensor warning, engine warning and epc warning. VW has told me this is a wiring harness failure and they have over 6000 cars with this problem and can not give me a... Read more