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: Nov 25, 2024
1 WAS DRIVING 55 MPH & IT LOCKED UP ON ME SHIFTED INTO 1ST GEAR & IS NOW STUCK IN 1ST GEAR. I ALMOSTED WRECKED LUCKELY I WASN'T FAR FROM HOME & IT'S BEEN PARKED SINCE.
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the catalytic converter was clogged. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic c... Read more
Incident date: Nov 26, 2024
speedometer doesn't work, ABS, Brakes, engine and traction light keeps on. THE SHIFT LEVER CHANGES BY ITSELF FROM D TO M while driving. ABS module has to be replaced at my cost when other 2011 jeep compass have a recall F 50 for the same issue.
Incident date: Nov 25, 2024
When driving along using the cruise control, the vehicle will suddenly act as it is avoiding a collision. The collision warning will show on the dashboard and the car will suddenly slow down to a stop or near stop until I disengage the cruise control and hit the gas pedal. This has happened multiple times while I was driving along a paved road with no other cars or obstacles visible ahead of me. ... Read more
KIA
SORENTO PHEV
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 26, 2024
Incident date: Nov 21, 2024
Intended breaking at Highway speeds. On [XXX] in PA and [XXX] in PA and MD. On several occasions the adaptive speed control dramatically slowed the vehicle for no apparent reason. The dash showed a speed limit change when there was no sign indicating a change. Several times the change was from 65+mph to 35 mph. The drastic speed change required swift and dramatic driver intervention to avoid colli... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
I was driving vehicle and was at light to enter freeway went to accelerate and nothing happened but car would rev normal in park pulled over in traffic and almost got in a wreck with family in side is very unsafe
Incident date: Nov 25, 2024
Transmissions “A” clutch failure diagnosed by Ford service department. There were no warning lamps indicating there was an issue Car start jolting upon acceleration and deceleration in 2nd to 3rd gear. Because of the jolting effect, especially upon deceleration, it put me at greater risk of an accident. Vehicle is only 4 years old.
HONDA
ACCORD HYBRID
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 25, 2024
Incident date: Nov 23, 2024
On three separate occasions (the most recent of which was on Saturday), my vehicle’s dashboard lit up with various alerts, including “Brake System problem”, “TPMS problems”, and “Vehicle stability assist system problems”. At the same time, the vehicle’s accelerator completely stopped working. The issue would only resolve itself (and the alerts would go away) after I pulled over and... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2024
The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 97V068000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), 01V037000 (Vehicle Speed Control), and 00V135000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of t... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2024
Oct 24th, 2024 on highway had accelerated to 75, all of a sudden, car experienced mechanical shutdown, engine light came on would go fast slow down, felt like braking down, engine light was solid, had to get very slowly somehow into the brake down lane. Turned the car off, waited long time...got advice to try to power car back on because was night and was dangerous lane. Car started, drove very ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra GT. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH in stop-and-go traffic, the engine light illuminated. While driving, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving at 35-45 MPH three days later, the engine light il... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
The vehicle fails to accelerate from a stop in snow mode. Engine does not respond to acceleration pedal. My wife was stuck halfway in a intersection of a state highway. She had to shut off engine and restart the vehicle to get the car to function. No warning lights appeared. This has happened twice in the last week and after some research on the internet, it seems like this is not an isolated... Read more
Incident date: Nov 23, 2024
When driving the rpm will be high but the car will not pick up speed. Many many times I’ve had to quickly put my hazards on when merging onto freeways or busy streets.
Incident date: Oct 28, 2024
Two week old 2024 RAV4 hybrid with less than 300 miles. In my driveway I put car in drive and it suddenly and aggressively accelerated. It would not stop or slow despite my attempts to brake, trying to avoid collision all I could do was steer to avoid impact. Finally grazed a tree trunk, car then rolled onto passenger side and came to rest against the bush by my front door. Spouse and I required e... Read more
Crash
2 injured
TOYOTA
GRAND HIGHLANDER
(2024) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 24, 2024
Incident date: Nov 24, 2024
I have reported this same issue twice before. When on cruise control, the car brakes unexpectedly. My 2nd and most recent report was on [XXX]: "... I had already disabled "Apply Brakes when Regenerative Braking is Limited" under Dynamics on the screen. (see photo) He showed on the screen, under Autopilot, that I could disable Automatic Emergency Braking, which I did. I was concerned that this ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2024
As I was driving my check engine light turned and also another message saying “Drive-Start control malfunction”. A few second after another light came one showing “Engine coolant Temp high. On 11/24/24 I experienced this mechanical failure as I was driving. I was driving behind another car, where my car suddenly lost power and randomly accelerated almost causing me to crash behind the car ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2024
Unintended/Unexpected acceleration, even while brake pedal is pressed. Happens intermittently. Most scary time for me happened in Publix parking lot at crosswalk for pedestrians. I thought I was going to hit the pedestrians. There are two drivers for this car and has happened to both of us. Just now, [XXX] around [XXX] it happened again when the other driver was driving out of Subway park... Read more
Incident date: Nov 14, 2024
Lighting bolt with parentheses came on along with off road sign. I was unable to accelerate past 20 mph and then I just rolled to a stop in morning traffic with my flashers on. I took it to dealership and they replaced my key battery since I told them i was also having problems lock and unlocking my car. I was told this should solve the problem. It did for about 3 weeks now lights back on car won... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2015) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 24, 2024
Incident date: Nov 23, 2024
I've been trying to fix the car I've put alternator new starter wires everything you can think of new fuses and the esc light burnt out 2 brand new battery's I've lost my job because it's unfixable almost killed after the power steering went out because of what's going on with this problem I can't fix it I've spent over 1000 trying to find the problem.
Incident date: Mar 30, 2023
While stopped at a traffic light, I went to accelerate when the light turned green. The vehicle turns off to save gas when it is at a standstill and will power up when the brake is released. Today at the light I went to release from the brake and it would not move. Instead it started I had to turn on again. Which it took several times before it would start. Cars were behind me and one almost hit m... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
Unexpected downshift to first while driving between 40 mph to 65 mph can lead to complete loss of cruise control, accompanied by a wrench symbol and an error code. Additionally, the speedometer fails to display a reading and may abruptly drop to first gear without any prior warning. signaling low fuel levels
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2020) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 22, 2024
Incident date: Nov 21, 2024
Harsh braking while using cruise control. Known as "PHANTOM BRAKING". This is causing extremely dangerous situations. The vehicle slams on the brakes while at high speeds for no apparent reason. Perfect weather and road identification markers. Happens with oncoming vehicles in normal path of travel as well as when there is a break in painted lines on the roadway. This creates a serious potential f... Read more
Incident date: May 20, 2024
My vehicle doesn't warn me about rear cross-traffic or it stops for emergency. I paid for this option. Delaer checked the system and reassured me that everything is working. I have to backup to a busy street a few times a day and this system is not protecting me and I am afraid that I will get into a crash. I had several close calls and I am afraid of a crash with this system.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle started hesitating and then stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the mechanic had the vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The throttle body wiring w... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
The contact leased a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to increase over 20 MPH. The 20 MPH limited message was displayed. The brake pedal was hard to depress. The driver pulled over and called the salesman at the dealer, who discussed red flags. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted. While driving 45 MPH, turning left, the brake pedal was applie... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
My F150 Truck dropped out of gear (5th ) to lower gear while driving. Which is very dangerous and caused almost a potential accident. Seem the power train in transmission and sensors had issue keeping truck in gear. Seems to be an issue on previous F150s and alot of 2017 models
Incident date: Nov 18, 2024
When coming to a stop the vehicle will often lurch forward. The lurch is powerful and could easily cause a collision. This problem occurs both when stopping in traffic and pulling into parking spaces. We were told by the dealer that the problem is caused by hybrid cars but we've had hybrid cars before that did not exhibit this behavior. It sounds like the dealership is aware of the problem but... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2024) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 22, 2024
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The message that there was “No Oil Pressure” was displayed. The vehicle decelerated and stalled. The vehicle was restarted but failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The contact pulled over safely. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V9... Read more
Incident date: Nov 18, 2024
While using adaptive cruise control, the system can detect a vehicle and immediately apply the brakes or slow down. In some cases, it may detect a vehicle (the vehicle icon appears) and trigger an immediate red collision light flash, followed by automatic braking. However, during these events, there were no cars ahead of the vehicle. There was no obstruction of sensors or cameras, and the incident... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2024) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 21, 2024
Incident date: Nov 17, 2024
At 9K miles excessive noise, sounds like a helicopter. Dealership confirmed all four tires were scalped, did an alignment and thought it might correct the problem. It has not, both the dealer and Corporate Honda refused to correct. Adaptive Cruise Control malfunction, major safety hazard. When engaged the car unexpectedly stops at all speeds on highway or rural roads, with no cars in sight in ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2024
I was driving on the highway when, out of nowhere, my car started shaking whenever I went over 40 miles per hour. It was quite alarming and honestly a bit scary. So, I would like to request a recall on it. A week after I took it to Hyundai, they informed me that they sent it to you to see if it would be approved to cover the motor. I’ve had this car for just 2 years, and it's frustrating to deal... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2022
Check engine light came on suddenly and acceleration slowed… truck will no longer go over 30 mph. Replaced radiator, driver air injection module, and regularly changed oil. no check engine light now the injection module was replaced but truck still will not go over 30 mph or 1800-2000 rpm’s.
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2008) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 20, 2024
Incident date: Aug 19, 2024
My 2008 jeep grand cheroke has caught on fire multiple times & started smoking. The rpms would always jump High and one day I went to go leave and it went real high causing it to accelerate on its own and went I went to go try to stop it my breaks failed and emergency brake would not work.
Crash
Fire
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that on several occasions while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure might have been caused by an Oxygen sensor failure. The Oxygen sensor was replaced; however, the... Read more
Incident date: Nov 20, 2024
on 11/18/24 Spark plug issues and misfire cylinder causing loss of power and acceleration with engine light check light on ,EPC and tire pressure. Other Issue with navigation system giving false of whereabout and wrong directions/turns. Occasional lost of power while driving on the street. Navigation system has been replaced twice but problem still continue. in 2021 and 2023.
Incident date: Sep 2, 1969
In 2019 Ford removed the Low gear option from the shifter dial. Customers were forced to manually shift using paddle shifters to access engine braking in steep grade situations. Current Ford TCM programming for 2019 and newer vehicles skips from first to third gear at 4mph, 900-1000 rpm, providing no engine braking ability in speeds below 25 mph when using paddle shifters. My vehicle manual states... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 70-71 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated. There was a red flashing light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle then accelerated. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated, and the message that the sensor was dirty was displayed. The contact stated that the windshield was clea... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
All of the lights on the dashboard and check engines light were illuminated. The speedometer would not work and the stick shift would stick in park causing me to have to release the shift lock manually to drive. The failure mileage was 59,450.
Incident date: Nov 14, 2024
When driving down interstate five in San Diego, my vehicle decided that it wanted to come to a screeching halt suddenly as the forward collision system activated randomly, causing my neck to jolt and a distill in pain. I had no idea what was going on, but in order to try to get out of the way of traffic, I quickly tried to override what the system was doing after coming to a complete stop, then th... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 10, 2024
My truck has 85000 miles on it. I have now experienced the ABS and traction control warning lights. They come on and off intermittently. The cruise control does not work when these lights are on. With all the complaints, its time Ram issues a fix under a recall.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
ABS modulator not working in jeep. Warning lights on dash currently are: ABS, traction control and brake light. Jeep dealer confirmed ABS modulator is defective. Unable to replace/repair due to backordered item as of 11/24. Stated possibly not available until 2/25. Jeep will randomly not shift gears while driving, speedometer not working, gas pedal sticking occasionally, rough braking with brake ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 19, 2024
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
While driving with the power liftgate partially open, I experienced an inability to accelerate after coming to a stop. I pressed the accelerator and the car rolled gently forward into an intersection at a speed less than 2MPH. A warning displayed on the dash that I needed to close the liftgate before the vehicle would operate correctly, which was impossible because I was in the middle of an inters... Read more
Incident date: Nov 19, 2024
ABS-Hydraulic Control Unit failure, pump motor control electrical failure. Confirmed/ Diagnosed by dealer. Messages on dash info screen: "service electronic braking system", "ABS failure", warning lights : Traction Control and ABS failure. Safety risk when warning message appears: ABS, Traction Control and Cruise Control are non- functional.
Incident date: Nov 5, 2024
When the car accelerates to around 70 mph, the right front side starts to shake and vibrate, giving the impression of driving on a bumpy road. The issue becomes noticeably worse when changing lanes to the right. Both wheel alignment and tire balancing have been checked and found to be fine. After researching online, many Subaru owners have reported similar issues caused by problems with the lower ... Read more
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 19, 2024
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
The vehicle has a consistent problem where all dashboard warning lights come on at the same time, sometimes when this happens the vehicle enters what they call limp mode and won't go above 10-20 mph. This occurred multiple times to me and recently on the highway where a tractor trailer almost hit my vehicle because of the loss of speed with no brake lights. It has been to multiple honda dealership... Read more
GRAND DESIGN
SOLITUDE
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 19, 2024
Incident date: Oct 4, 2024
The instrument cluster display on my 2020 Volvo XC90 went completely out while driving my vehicle. This was a single point of failure and SAFETY ISSUE as it affected my speedometer, gas gauge, etc. I was driving without any functioning indicators on the highway when it went out. There was no advanced warning. The issue was fixed by my dealership and part replaced, invoice is attached. We have ma... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. No warnings lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway, turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, while attempting to shift into drive the vehicle hesitated and failed to respond as needed. The ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
My ABS module and TCS light has been on for several years. I have taken it to the dealer multiple time to have it repaired, only to be told it is on back order. This has been going on for over two years. I have a life time warranty through Chrysler as long as I own the truck. Since the warning lights have been on I have had many instances where my truck has lost control and slipped on the highway ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2024
The car is slow to accelerate when stopped and after a few seconds will kick in and "peel out". It shutters, stalls, and goes fast. I was turning left on a yellow light and the car just stopped. The oncoming traffic had to slam on brakes, swerve to miss me and the car peeled out suddenly. I was nearly T-boned with my kids in car, then nearly hit other cars when accelerated extremely fast. The de... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 18, 2024
Incident date: Nov 16, 2024
I have a 2024 hybrid Maverick with 17,000 miles on. The The 12 volt battery is a known issue in the vehicle that Ford has failed to address. When I went to go start my truck the other morning the battery had failed. I hooked up a jump pack to the proper terminals under the hood so that I could start the vehicle. I was successful in starting the vehicle after that. I had every warning message pop u... Read more