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: Mar 3, 2025
The ABS control module has malfunctioned which lead to the ABS, traction control, and parking brake light coming on while driving. This is a safety concern due to a malfunction with these systems. These systems are meant to help control the vehicle when either sliding or braking quickly. An OBD scan tool was used, which read the code C2200 to confirm the malfunction.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
Car looses power mid drive since (has happened since Sept 2024.) Powertrain light sensor comes on and car throttles low, cuts completely off sometimes. Numerous Powertrain malfunction/ reduced power notifications on My ford app.
Incident date: Mar 31, 2025
2011 F-150 super crew Laredo is sifting gears down by its self at high spends causing immediate car speedometer cluster going to zero and not be able to accelerate. There was a customer satisfaction program 19N01 it was 10 yr 150,0000 miles
Incident date: Mar 15, 2025
I was driving home and felt steering wheel shake while on curved road, brakes felt like they wanted to lock up, then everything on dash lighted up looked like a shortage. My foot was still on the gas pedal then car just slowed down by itself. I had to steer vehicle to side of road. I did not panic, I was fearful something could’ve happened if I would’ve had other vehicles behind or even oncomi... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed on a steep hill, the engine braking system failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the engine braking system failed to activate, and the vehicle independently accelerated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the failure was confirmed. The contact was informed that no repair was available... Read more
Incident date: Mar 30, 2025
Car stalled while stopped in drive or while in park. Forward collision system error warning. Every yellow warning light illuminated. Car would restart and would shift gears up when accelerating but would not shift back down. Tachometer would not move although engine was revving. Park and turn off car. Open door. close door. restart and all lights off and engine runs fine until it stalls again. Rep... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
ICCU failed while driving. Causing the car to dangerously decelerate with little to no warning. The car then bricked itself on the side of the road. Diagnoses is a failed ICCU. This failure was insanely dangerous as the car lost all power and would not accelerate.
Incident date: Nov 13, 2024
On or about November 13, 2024 our Hyundai Sonata 2020 gas tank almost exploded. We drove our vehicle to a dealership so that it could be checked because we kept hearing something that sounded like a loud pop / thumb underneath our vehicle. We had already been receiving notifications of a powertrain issue with the vehicle for years (without the dealership resolving the issue). So we were taking the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
High temperatures catalytic converter code went on the car was stalling on the highway as soon as I hit 60 MPH as I was getting on the car will not accelerate like if the engine was going to come out which also caused my car to overheat which was smelling like burnt oil called the dealer regarding this issue and compared to the recalls on the other KIA which is exactly what's happening to my car.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
Recall history for my car says that the recall has been taken care of for the power steering, but the car has power steering issues very badly
MERCEDES-BENZ
S 500
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 31, 2025
Incident date: Mar 28, 2025
On kelly blue book, my 2006 pontiac g6 has a recall for power steering which is the number 1 recall for the exact make and model in other people’s cars, but the recall is not showing on the nhtsa. power steering does not work and the steering wheel shakes a lot. i just bought the car in late december
Incident date: Feb 3, 2025
The following pictures will again show the issues that I'm having while driving my 2022 S Class Mercedes, while using the cruise control on the Belt Parkway. It shows me stuck in traffic and, although I can only go 11 miles an hour while I’m stuck in traffic, the cruise control wants to push it to 80 mph, which is indeed VERY VERY DANGEROUS!! as you can well imagine. Also, as you can see in... Read more
Incident date: Mar 17, 2025
Car would not allow me to accelerate. It seemed to keep me running only on the electric motor vs the gas engine (the vehicle is a hybrid). This has happened multiple times. The fix is to turn the car off and on again.
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
Vehicle displayed warnings: Service Antilock Brakes Service Electronic Stability Control Service Trailer Brake System The truck has only 4,650 miles on it. When this happens, the above systems do not work along with the 4 wheel drive system. When towing a heavy trailer, the loss of trailer brakes can easily cause an accident due to jackknifing of the trailer and greatly increased stopping dista... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 29, 2025
Incident date: Feb 19, 2025
Instrument cluster above the steering wheel is black and will not work. No way to know speed as well as other important things.
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
I am submitting this complaint regarding a catastrophic engine failure in my 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe while driving at 70 mph on the highway. Without any prior warning, the engine suddenly started making a loud knocking noise from under the hood, and shortly after, the car lost power. There were no check engine lights or other indicators signaling an issue before the failure. I was able to safel... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2025
I was driving approximately 30 mph on an exit ramp and as I pressed the gas to accelerate when I got below speed, the drive power completely ceased, started making a noise that I have never heard, almost like a baseball card in a bicycle wheel. The screen flashed a 4WD alert, and then shut off / went completely black. I could not accelerate, I could not turn the wheel at all as it locked up, and o... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2024
I was driving on the highway and saw that my RPM was fluctuating a lot even though on cruise control, it was losing its power. It started slowing down and even though cruise control was off, I was indeed in drive and not neutral. when I fully pressed the gas it did absolutely nothing. I was close to home 10 minutes so I had to just put emergency lights on and keep going but at the stop signs and l... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
TAOS
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 28, 2025
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
After recent software update on 17 March 2025, the vehicle demonstrated unpredictable high acceleration. Vehicle is unsafe in E-shift mode. Vehicle can only be driven safely in automatic mode. Per a Hyundai communication: "there have been complications reported related to the Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) software that may cause momentary continued acceleration during the release of the acceler... Read more
Incident date: Mar 12, 2025
When I accelerate, my car jerks or the shifting is not smooth anymore. Others have been quoted over $9k to fix this issue.
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
I had the car diagnosed and this is the issue.
Incident date: Jan 4, 2024
Vehicle downshifts unexpectedly sometimes and it also kicks hard when slowing down or coming to a stop. Brought it to Hempstead Ford and test drove it with Charlie the senior service advisor, he said he understands and feels what I’m explaining, but Ford says its normal.
Incident date: Dec 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle at 2 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward. The vehicle jumped the curb, embankment, bushes, and crashed into the building in front. Parts of the vehicle caught onto the bushes, holding the vehicle while still crashing into the building. The air bags did not deploy. The police were not contacted. No pol... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 5, 2025
While using cruise control (TACC) or FSD, the vehicle inadvertently brakes until vehicle stops, due to detecting light glare or other things as a collision threat. This happened many times. Reported to Tesla service, they said it is a bug and I should file a bug report. I have previously filed many bug reports about this but no software update fixed the problem. Incident happened many times, Tes... Read more
Incident date: Jan 25, 2025
When traveling at around 70-75 mph the vehicle will downshift to 5th gear and vehicle speed drops as well, without warning. This causes the vehicle to not want to excel until it comes to a complete stop or turns off and then turns back on.
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
My 2024 Nissan Versa S goes into a "limp mode" almost any time I stall and then turn the engine back on. In this limp mode, acceleration is dangerously slow. Often acceleration is so weak that if I drive up a hill in this limp mode, the car will lose speed even while I'm pressing the gas pedal all the way to the floor. This can easily be reproduced and inspected by purposely stalling the car in a ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
Vehicle will downshift from 10th gear to 1st gear at highway speeds. Vehicle lunges forward after stoplight restarts. 3rd to 4th and 9th to 10th gear shifts are extremely delayed and transmission slips during shifts. Transmission makes very loud noises and clunks when driven. Transmission lags and delays when going into reverse.
Incident date: Mar 27, 2025
When driving the vehicle shifts very hard and has a loud clanging in second and fifth gear. It skips those gears and will lag in intersections and on roadways because of the skip. Had it diagnosed by a transmission shop and they said it needed cam phasers. Took it to the dealer and the said it needed a new valve body as the issue was repeatable. Had the valve body replaced and it is still doing it... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
On [XXX], about 20 minutes into my 30-minute commute, while driving at highway speed, my trucks transmission suddenly downshifted dramatically, jerking and throwing me forward in my seat and causing the truck to slow down so abruptly that I was almost rear ended, putting drivers around and behind me at risk of high-speed collisions. Less than 5 minutes later it happened a second time. This is the ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2025
I am reporting Ed Morse Cadillac Delray Beach, for improperly handling a manufacturer recall service, which resulted in a new safety issue on my 2013 Cadillac SRX. On February 22nd 2025 I brought my vehicle in for the Cadillac rear tow link separation recall. After the dealership performed the repair, my ABS system malfunctioned—an issue that never existed before. The dealership initially ackno... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Honda Civic. The contact stated that after driving approximately 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to stop and park the vehicle; however, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the unintended acceleration had occurred several times and almost caused a crash. The contact had taken the vehicle to ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 24, 2025
This is the third time I’m having to take my SUV to the Kia dealership because my check engine light begins flashing and then my car has a hard time accelerating when it gets to certain speeds. It shakes but will not go over 68 mph although it is covered under a warranty, it is very frustrating. Having to keep take my car to get fixed. There should be a more permanent solution.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 27, 2025
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
Here we go again, while driving on a side road with a 20 mph school speed limit, the cruise control wants to SPEED UP to 60 mph!! WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO REMEDY THIS BEFORE I’M INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT!!
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY
(2017) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 26, 2025
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
I Was driving down highway and receive a fe messages in quick order -front sensors off, front camera off, collision detection off, regenerative braking off - started moving toward right shoulder prior to pulling off - car lost speed at high rate putting me in jeopardy of being rear ended. 2025.06.012 code was loaded into truck the day before - this was first real drive after new code loaded in... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was slow to accelerate. There was white smoke coming from the exhaust, with the check engine warning light illuminated and flashing on and off. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a crack in cylinders #3 and #4. The ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 15, 2025
I am reporting a serious safety concern regarding my 2019 Honda Odyssey, which poses a risk to me and my family. The issue is intermittent, making it difficult for the dealership to replicate. The problem began when the Collision Mitigation System warning light flashed, indicating a system malfunction. This was followed by multiple warning lights appearing on the dashboard. At times, the entire da... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2019) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 26, 2025
Incident date: Jan 12, 2024
Truck dropped into lower gears without notice from high speed (and at low speeds). Engine revs and actually speeds up without foot on gas pedal without warning. Speedometer will stop working when this happens also. Almost caused accident. Other similar vehicles from 2013-2019 are in recall for similar issues. Ford won't fix and says it is not an issue for this vehicle.
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
The truck wrench symbol showed up. The second time it showed the truck didn’t seem to shift correctly. It hesitated to progress in speed like usual, creating a situation that I could have been hit by cross traffic because it was moving at a lot slower speed than expected for trying to accelerate. I had ford inspect my vehicle for what might be working incorrectly and they couldn’t diagnose the... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle rolled backwards while on an incline. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. The contact stated that the transmission overheated, and a message to pull over was displayed. The vehicle was ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 20, 2025
Break failure on highway causing MVA- multiple attempts were made to slow down and break vehicle to no response what so ever. Pressed breaks all the way down, nothing, no air, no resistance, no sounds, vehicle kept on going. In an attempt to save myself from an accident that could have been much worse, I jumped out of the moving vehicle, landing the back of my head on the cement highway floor towa... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
HCU has failed on my truck back in July of 2024 it was impossible to find a replacement part got a recall letter on November had abs track control, and cruise control loss repeated dinging sounds to service ABS and electronic brakes and most recently you can hear the brake pads slightly rubbing on rotors and can feel a little bit of resistance while driving down the road
Incident date: Mar 7, 2025
When driving on the highway my car suddenly started to stall with me on the highway. It went from 80 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour and then completely shut off in the lane of the highway. Thankfully I was able to pull over to safety. I attempted to start again, and the engine started with a weird noise coming from it. I had it towed to my local Mechanic who told me that my engine is part of ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated that American Lease sent out a software update without warning, which initiated the failure. The vehicle became inoperable and failed to go into drive or reverse. The 12-volt battery low message was displayed. The vehicle failed to go into start mode. The contact had an independent mechanic remove the software update. The vehicle was repaire... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2018) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 25, 2025
Incident date: Mar 25, 2025
While my father was exiting his 2018 Toyota 4Runner SR5, the vehicle unexpectedly started reversing fairly quickly, despite no foot being on the brake. He was dragged by the vehicle while attempting to stop it outside the car, and it continued moving backwards then down a hill before crashing into a fence, causing significant damage to both the car and the fence. This vehicle should not have rolle... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
When using the cruise control and going down hills, the transmission will unexpectedly downshift into one or more lower gears causing the rear wheels to chirp or actually slide on wet pavement. it only seems to happen when using the cruise control for some reason.
Incident date: Dec 14, 2024
I was traveling [XXX] near Liverpool, PA at 60mph, the truck flashed a quick code on the dash and then suddenly downshifted from 6th gear to 1st almost spinning the truck as the rear wheels locked up momentarily. It would not upshift past 3rd gear and had to travel 35 miles home like that. I called my local Ford dealer (Parsons) and they said bring the truck in for diagnostic testing, so I did. Me... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear, causing the rear wheels to lock up. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the wrench symbol was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle went into LIMP Mode, and the vehicle was slow to respond. The vehicle was turned off fo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 22, 2025
Over the last several years, I have experienced a minimum of four, possibly one or two more, incidents of this vehicle accelerating at a high rate while I have had my foot on the brake. In all of these cases, I was braking to come to a stop - braking quickly and hard in a couple cases. While braking and slowing, my engine revved/accelerated at a very high rate. In all of these incidents, I change... Read more
Incident date: Mar 6, 2025
Vehicle unexpectedly downshifted and service now light came on. Speed was difficult to control as the vehicle would either rapidly decelerate or accelerate. Cruise control was unable to be used. I received a speeding ticket because I was unable to consistently maintain speed. Problem returns intermittently and is usually resolved by pulling over, turning off the vehicle and turning back on.
Incident date: Feb 12, 2025
Occasionally on startup will hard shift then get stuck in 5th,3rd,or 1st gear and will move slowly upon accelerating.This will also happen when driving at different speeds.Cooling fan will also be running on high speed.Had lead frame and valve body replaced($2000) but within two weeks symptoms returned.Truck is now in dealer waiting for replacement transmission to come in($7000) Will add receipt w... Read more