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: Jul 18, 2024
Since I have owned this vehicle, the wiring for the backup camera has been wrong since purchase. The image is fuzzy, sometimes non-existent, and if it is it is upside down. The radio works when it wants to. The headlights keep filling with moisture no matter how many times I get it fixed. The windshield wiper will no longer spray the fluid to clear the windshield (after about owning it for a year)... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2024
On Tues 11/19/24, my son left home about 10 mins prior headed back to school in our 2024 Chevy Trax purchased in 5/2023. On his way to school, he and his friend heard a loud pop sound, followed by all the lights on the instrument panel flickering like crazy, smoke coming from under the hood, and then the car slowing to a stop, still in the road. Luckily they were able to get out because all the do... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jan 1, 2024
I took an exit form the highway on [XXX] towards Bothell. As Soon as I did and ended up coasting towards the first red light, all the warning signs came on on the car and my steering wheel locked up. And my braking also got reduced. Only thing that worked was the Acceleration pedal. I struggled to get the car towards any safety. There was a message on the dashboard saying that assisted steering i... Read more
Incident date: Sep 18, 2024
I was driving my Polestar 2 and approaching a stopped vehicle ahead of me on [XXX] [XXX]. The one-pedal driving function successfully brought me to a complete stop (12:41:33PM). However, 3 seconds after the complete stop, at 12:41:36PM the car suddenly started moving on its own and accelerated towards the car in front of me. Fortunately I was able to brake using the brake pedal to prevent a col... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
We were driving 40 mph when all the sudden the rear tires locked up without warning. We almost got in an accident and thankfully were able to get off the road. Then, the check engine light came on and the truck went into limp mode and would not shift gears automatically and it was difficult to make it home. We had a mechanic come to our house to run a diagnostic and they informed us of the recal... Read more
Incident date: Nov 22, 2024
EPS system quit working and no power steering. Code С2217-00. It is available to be inspected. Currently being looked at by Tempe Ram service center in Az. System going out while driving can cause death’s and injury. No issues prior to lights and code and steering wheel stiffening. Also Intermittent cruise control issues with it not wanting to go into and out of cruise. Will not always come out... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2024
The accelerating pedal is the one that was affect it is available upon request for inspection. It put me in danger because while I was driving, it snapped off. Has not been inspected by others. There was no warning lamps and it just happened out of nowhere as well. I was driving.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 27, 2024
Incident date: Jun 7, 2024
While parking in a rather standard strip mall parking lot, it was discovered the car was too close to the car on the right. The car was backed up a few feet and braked to a stop. When the gear shifter was moved to drive, the car took off and struck the car in front at 13 mph, causing about $75,000 of damage to our BMW iX M60. BMW did a precrash report with data but no written summary or opinion. I... Read more
Crash
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2015) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 27, 2024
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
Vehicle keeps stalling while driving if stopped at a light or stop sign or if mrps drop to low engine shuts off lights flicker and no check engine light has come on.
Incident date: Nov 25, 2024
Service Stabiltrak error and service traction control error. Reduced engine power error causes the motor to completely shut down with no warning even while driving making it impossible to get out of traffic and to safely exit to the shoulder. No acceleration when pressing gas pedal.
KTM
790 ADVENTURE
(2019) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 26, 2024
Incident date: Sep 7, 2024
I am not sure exactly what happened but their was indeed an internal systems failure of some sort that definitely needs to be resolved and the public needs to be made aware of. I lost control of my vehicle do to some circumstance beyond my control and I was nearly killed an a father and son as well. I hope the government gets to the bottom of this and makes all humans aware of this threat to our w... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Nov 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance Warning Alert System Failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle independently accelerated, and the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle responded as needed. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repair... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
Our steering wheel locked when we were about to leave our destination and drive back an hour to go home.
Incident date: Nov 26, 2024
Instrument cluster went completely black. No speedometer or other vehicle information available.
SUBARU
B9 TRIBECA
(2007) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 26, 2024
Incident date: Sep 1, 2024
In NORMAL driving mode, when I fully depressed the acceleration and quickly release, the vehicle continues accelerating . I almost crashed into the car in front of me in stop and go traffic.
BABY TREND
HYBRID 3-IN-1
(9999) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 26, 2024
Incident date: Nov 16, 2024
The engine seized due to an issue with the oil plug and another part, leading to a lack of oil in the system. The vehicle is currently with Hyundai and available for inspection upon request. How Safety Was Put at Risk: While driving on the highway, I suddenly lost acceleration (below 40mphs). I was forced to pull over to the left side of the highway where it was shallow, where I risked being hi... Read more
HYUNDAI
ELANTRA HYBRID
(2024) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 26, 2024
Incident date: Nov 14, 2024
[XXX] my car failed to let me use the brake, i was going about 45mph and when i went to apply brake pressure the pedal was so stiff i couldnt use the brake. Causing from end collision, when i made a trip to springdale to have my car inspected it didnt make it, started backfiring and dying around 65 mph then the motor blew, it had some issues starting but nothing like what happened within that few ... Read more
Crash
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 26, 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
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 26, 2024
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
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 24, 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
Incident date: Aug 26, 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 21, 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.
Incident date: Nov 16, 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 25, 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: Oct 3, 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
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF SPORTWAGEN
(2015) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 25, 2024
Incident date: Nov 24, 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: Nov 22, 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
MERCEDES-BENZ
S 500
(2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 24, 2024
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
VOLKSWAGEN
JETTA
(2024) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 24, 2024
Incident date: Nov 11, 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
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: Nov 20, 2024
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: Feb 1, 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
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: Oct 28, 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: Nov 22, 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
CHEVROLET
TRAILBLAZER
(2021) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 22, 2024
Incident date: Oct 31, 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: Feb 12, 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
FORD
MAVERICK HYBRID
(2022) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 22, 2024
Incident date: Oct 7, 2022
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 22, 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
Incident date: Nov 21, 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
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2021) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 21, 2024
Incident date: May 7, 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 20, 2024
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.