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: Sep 21, 2021
I am writing to express my serious concern and frustration regarding the unresolved recall on my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 (VIN: [XXX] ). Despite multiple visits to multiple dealerships, I was repeatedly told that the necessary parts to complete the recall repair were on back order and instructed to “wait for parts.” No interim solution or assistance was ever offered. As a result of this... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
I have experienced two major issues. The dash cluster went blank. Not able to see any of the gauges. Vehicle ran, drove. Turned the truck on and off. Opening & closing the door to power off the truck. 15+/- minutes for the dash to return to normal. Supposedly an update to the program is pending. Second and major issue; while backing up, the truck came to a stop by itself, blocking an intersection... Read more
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2023) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Sep 2, 2025
Incident date: Aug 30, 2025
The car won’t shift into the intended gear.The car stalls as well. The transmission fault service now light is on.
Incident date: Aug 18, 2025
Ever since the lease of this vehicle on January 2025 we’ve had problems with the brake/rotors took it in twice for that. As of recent August 2025, we took it in for loss of power going up a hill, hybrid malfunctioning electrical system going out. Dealership gave it back saying everything was fine. We took it on August 29, 2025 to Colorado vehicle failed to perform loss of power going up the moun... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
The contact leased a 2025 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated that while driving at 5-10 MPH, attempting to park, the vehicle suddenly and rapidly accelerated on its own. The brake pedal was applied but failed to stop the vehicle, resulting in a crash with a parked 2011 Honda Odyssey belonging to the contact. There was no police report filed. reported injuries. air bag deployment or fire. No warn... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 29, 2025
When using the adaptive cruise control or “autopilot” feature on my Model Y, the vehicle will brake extremely hard without warning. This sudden, unnecessary braking is commonly referred to as phantom braking. The failure is available for inspection upon request. This malfunction poses a significant safety risk to myself and others, especially vehicles following behind, as it could lead to rea... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2025
I drive a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. This occurrence has happened on three separate occasions and each time it was raining outside. The first occurrence, my vehicle was running and parked in the rain after driving approximately 5 miles. While parked my check engine light came on with a series of warnings: service ECS, service traction control, forward collision system unavailable, reduced acceleration... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
Phantom braking at speed: I have experienced more than one alarming instances of "phantom braking at speed" where the vehicle unexpectedly brakes, all wheels locked, and violently skids on the pavement. This is a very alarming occurrence to driver and passengers as well as to drivers of other nearby vehicles. Specifically, this first occurred without warning on [XXX] on [XXX], traveling at 30 mp... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
S500
(2006) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Sep 1, 2025
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
Vehicle self-accelerated abruptly while parked and crashed into another vehicle causing damage to both vehicles
Crash
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
I have had more than one failure, but this is the worst. The problem occurs, I believe, when RAM does an update to their uconnect system, something they do often and without warning. Strange and unexpected things happen when they do. In this instance, I had just started on a trip and was on the highway going about 65 mph. I had the cruise control on that brakes automatically when a something is... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2017
I purchased a brand-new Hyundai vehicle on [XXX] from Dublin Hyundai. Since purchase, the vehicle has exhibited repeated, serious defects that compromised the safety of my [XXX] baby and family. Timeline of Events: [XXX] – Vehicle purchased new. Safety concerns arose within weeks of ownership. July 16, 2025 – Vehicle dropped off for major issues: camera display failures, heads-up display malf... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
I have been having problems with many dashboard lights coming on at once. I got it checked out and I got ABS code 123 - 11 and code 81 - 20. This has been going on since the beginning of August 2025. This could lead to dangerous malfunctions, And is one of the most expensive things to repair. It is my understanding that many many vehicles between 2013 and 2017 in the Honda range I've been exper... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
Car was put into drive and wouldn’t go. It would finally go but Everytime the engine changed gears it dropped to 0 rpm’s making it very dangerous to drive!!! Lots of lights came on and my app sent me two things wrong with it. After having it checked the codes said it was a valve body issue. Replacing the transmission is $4000, and I’m not the first with this problem a friend of mine had the ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2025
Driving interstate and a wrench warning came up on dash screen. I knew that wasn’t good. Two Local mechanics diagnosed as circuit A (transmission) needs replaced. Park light not illuminating and won’t even crank to start. I got it started , finally, and wrench came back on. Loud “thunk” noise when switching into reverse Was advised NOT to drive until repaired as it is dangerous to me a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
Hard downshifts from 5 to 4. At low speeds, like parking lots it shifts hard from 1 to 2. At freeway speeds while attempting to pass instead of dropping a gear to passs it downshifts to 1st, rpm’s shoot up and it results in having to pull off stop and place in park. Once in park back to D and able to take off. At any speed from 30 mph or more there is a sort of “tap of brakes” feeling every ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2025
When starting vehicle during warm weather conditions, all dashboard alarms light up and beep. Initially, when put into drive mode, steering is extremely difficult. When accelerating, no speed is displayed. During driving there is no speedometer, no operating turn signal and the odometer does not record driving miles.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2025
Randomly my instrument panel goes blank while in motion and can only be retrieved by hard turning the car off when stopped, you loose your speedometer, lights, and all until reset. Other issue with speedometer readings that are consistently off between 5-15mph with no fix, resolutions or repairs.
Crash
Incident date: Aug 30, 2025
I have had problems with Jeep suddenly losing all power while driving with NO WARNING! Everytime ive had it checked they could not find anything wrong with it. Just recently it happened again and since then when I drive it doesn't seem to want to accelerate. There are no noises,instrument lights on any codes showing up. I had to wait a month for my appointment at the dealership and then another m... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
As I was driving my 2017 Nissan Pathfinder, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated to a high rate of speed and the gas pedal became stuck. I tried to press on the brake as much as possible but the vehicle was not successfully able to be stopped which caused a terrible motor vehicle accident.
Incident date: Aug 30, 2025
My 2013 Ford Escape, bought in September 2022 with a new engine, has been problematic. It initially worked well but lost transmission power less than a year later. I managed to drive it home, but it hasn't worked since. Two repair shops confirmed a needed new transmission, costing $6,000, and found metal shavings in the fluid. There were no warning signs before the failure. Before the transmission... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2025
on multiple occasions when driving and trying to increase speed (such as after pulling out of my driveway) the car makes a sudden jerking almost or like something "misses" and it slows down and takes a couple seconds to regain again. On the most recent occasion, the engine light then came on and wouldn't go off. The code when tested, said it had to do with the transmission.
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
My car started to act crazy not wanting to move when in traffic.
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
After an update for a recall for brake issues, the dealership updated the knock sensor update without my consent. After the knock sensor software was installed, my 2012 Hyundai veloster will not operate without going into protection mode. Hyundai states that they can not reverse the software update to make my vehicle operable again. This has already come up as a safety concern as my wife was on th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
* Initial Transmission Failure: -In February 2025 my vehicle began experiencing severe and rough shifting, which was quickly followed by a "Check Engine" light. I immediately took the vehicle to dealer for inspection. * Dealer Diagnosis and Repair: -The dealership diagnosed the issue as a worn-out transmission solenoid and valve body. They informed me that they had to install a newly redesigned ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
Transmission failure 4 times since purchasing it new in December 2024 I was almost killed multiple times on the highway because car won’t accelerate. Car is jumping when driving and choking Air conditioning shuts off while driving Car gets stuck in park and nothing will work
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
Van completely shut down while in an intersection and the battery light came on. It was hard to restart. Took it to the dealership and they cannot find the problem.
Incident date: Nov 24, 2024
I keep getting denied for warranty TCM had the code I did a report after it was I would be covered had proof of the codes and deny me for another service that’s under warranty pretty much just take my money send me out the way and then I get stuck on the highway from the problem in having to fix it myself
Incident date: Jan 22, 2025
I was driving my 2012 expedition and suddenly the vehicle went from doing 60 to 40 immediately the tires squealed and threw me into the right lane . This vehicle transmission has a recall for down shifting and power train issues. My vin number does not fit the Recall but my vehicle has all the symptoms of multiple recalls and is not safe to drive . Had i not known how to drive i ... Read more
CHEVROLET
EQUINOX EV
(2025) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 29, 2025
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The OnStar Telematics Module has malfunctioned and is causing SAFETY FEATURES to malfunction. It is causing the following to occur to the vehicle: 1. The faulty module is causing the car to shut OFF UNEXPECTEDLY MID DRIVE. Losing control of the vehicle instantly. No steering, no gas, no brake, no gear change. THIS can cause a CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT at higher speeds on the highways. The battery is... Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2025
Vehicle Information: 2023 Tesla Model 3 VIN: [XXX] Incident Date: [XXX] Location: [XXX] Summary of the Problem: On [XXX], while Autopilot was active, my 2023 Tesla Model 3 suddenly accelerated without driver input. I was pressing the brake pedal, but the vehicle surged forward uncontrollably, struck a fence and a tree, and caused major property damage. Both I and my wife (passenger) required u... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
The Curvature Assist function activates and applies the brakes automatically on straight and level sections of freeways with no observable obstacles or curves, requiring driver to resume acceleration to override the brakes.
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
On [XXX], at just 9,526 miles, my brand-new 2025 Tesla Model 3 (VIN: [XXX] ) suffered a front motor/inverter failure. The vehicle displayed the warning “Front Motor Disabled.” Tesla Vallejo Service confirmed this and replaced the front drive inverter (3DU). A catastrophic drivetrain failure at under 10,000 miles is unacceptable and raises serious concerns about reliability and safety. It stil... Read more
Incident date: Oct 26, 1971
While driving my 2014 Nissan 370Z with only around 43,000 miles, the car suddenly made a loud bang in the rear area and then would not shift normally in automatic mode while I was on the highway with my child in the car. When I inspected the underside afterward, there were no fluids leaking and I had not hit anything that could have caused the noise or malfunction of the output sensor. Shortly aft... Read more
HONDA
ACCORD HYBRID
(2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 28, 2025
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
My 2019 Ford Edge begin to stutter after I reached 60k miles. When I accelerate it stutter between 15-35 MPH I called Bill Brown Ford spoke to a service advisor , she stated it’s in the transmission so I took my vehicle to a transmission shop was informed nothing wrong with trans. The car jerks during take off biggest fear it shutting down while driving. No warning signals in the dash just begin... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
The car was in the cruise control with auto mode and it just veered to the left from a car in front and crashed into the median and totaled the car.
Crash
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
In relation to this incident, approximately 3,00 miles after an oil change, the engine oil drain plug fell out and caused all oil to leak and cause engine damage. Engine oil change was at approximately 125,000 miles. Drain plug fell out at approximately 128,000 miles. No warning lights or symptoms were present prior to vehicle shutting off and dying while driving. Vehicle was then towed to shop wh... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2025
Car has 72000 miles in it it has given no indication on dash except cruise control went out. The transmission is slipping and both the front passenger and drivers door handles are messed up up.
Incident date: Aug 8, 2025
This is a new vehicle. It had been serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations at 5000 miles, around 3 weeks prior to the date of this incident. While driving on the freeway, I got an alert that the check engine light came on and there was a “malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle, or automatic transmission has been detected”. Shortly after several more a... Read more
YOKOHAMA
ALL SEASON RADIAL
(9999) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 28, 2025
Incident date: Aug 4, 2025
On the evening of August 27, 25, when exiting the highway ramp, the vehicle's engine suddenly stopped and stalled, the gear automatically shifted to neutral, and the hazard lights could not be turned on. After about 2 minutes, it restarted normally and turned on the hazard lights.
TOYO
OPEN COUNTRY R/T
(9999) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 28, 2025
Incident date: Jul 17, 2025
Falla en tren motriz o transmisión
Incident date: Aug 28, 2025
My 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee was having failures with the Active Lane Management and Park Sense features not turning on. A visit to the service department revealed failures with both the front and rear facing cameras. While waiting for parts, I was travelling on the highway with the Adaptive Cruise Control enabled. (Not thinking about a possible bad interaction with the ACC.) In slowed traffic,... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
A critical component failure has rendered my 2016 BMW 528xi inoperable and unsafe. The water pump failed, forcing the car into a safety "limp mode," limiting its speed to approximately 40 miles per hour. This issue mirrors NHTSA Recall 24V-608 regarding an electrical connector on the water pump that can short circuit, potentially causing a "thermal event or fire." The problem began with dashboard... Read more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2024
The hybrid car intermittently switches into EV mode after coming to a complete stop (e.g., at a traffic signal or after briefly stopping to pick up my child). When this happens, the vehicle does not accelerate properly once back on the road and feels stuck in EV mode, unable to accelerate beyond ~45 mph. This creates a safety concern when merging or crossing intersections.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
I was heading south on I-495 (Massachusetts) in right lane at just under 65 mph. I had just passed an entrance ramp and overpass. A car was entering I495 on my right and coming up to speed. The car entered my lane from his entrance ramp to the right most lane in front of me. The car was about 20 feet in front of me. The entering car's speed was was greater than mine. When the second the car l... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2021) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 27, 2025
Incident date: Aug 13, 2025
1. The car accelerates by intself. The accelaration is like "hiccups". When reversing and changing to D gear, it takes longer than usual for the accelarion to take effect. Yes, car is available for inspections 2. It is dangerus because it gets the hiccups even at high speeds. If it is a serious egine problem, which seems like it is, could cause an accident. 3. The car was taken to the dealershi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
No check engine light come on until continued driving over 15-20 miles. Transmission slams into second gear when taking off or when stopping it may or may not downshift into first causing safety issues when in traffic. Possible electrical error or clutch inside transmission. On this model it is a sealed transmission so no way of identifying if metal shavings come out with a transmission flush. The... Read more
MICHELIN
PRIMACY A/S
(9999) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 26, 2025
Incident date: Aug 11, 2025
While driving systems start to fualt, pre-collision not available, pre-collition fault, cruise control stops working, hill descent control fault, hill start assist warning. Started happening soon after purchase and happens ramdomly while driving almost every time. Resets after vihicle is turned off and back on. Had dealer inspect promblem and was told there was no fix for it.
Incident date: Jun 14, 2025
While driving, my 2017 Ford F-150 with the 6-speed automatic will sometimes suddenly downshift on its own. This causes a hard jerk and a sudden change in speed, which feels unsafe especially at higher speeds. At other times, the truck will not shift into gear at all. For example, when backing out of a driveway or parking spot in reverse and then shifting into drive, the truck stalls. The only way ... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2025
Several months ago, the automatic front collision activated on the freeway doing about 65mph. There was nothing in front of us, but there was a car behind us that almost rear ended us. I thought this was a one-off thing but reading this site I am not the only one. Also, with in the last 2 weeks the Eye Site has turned off. This I see is also a known problem.
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2024) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 26, 2025
Incident date: Aug 23, 2025
Leaking front shock, front differential, and transmission