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: Jul 2, 2024
On July 1st, I had a defect in the electrical system of my Corvette nearly causing a major accident with several cars and trucks due to a immediate and unexpected loss of engine and propulsion. I was driving about 75 mph on highway in busy traffic. Car randomly and without any human input - flashed a false alarms for an open hood, although the hood was actually latched and perfectly closed. Ala... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2023
abs light and traction control light would come on intermittently while driving then stayed on causing cruise control to not work. been happening for over a year
Incident date: Jul 3, 2024
The brake lights illuminate too early and often under [even very] gentle deceleration. My '23 EV6 GT is driven primarily in Level 1 (minimal) regenerative braking mode and the threshold for brake light activation clearly is far too low. The appearance of "riding the brakes" is dangerous because those who follow are not alerted when the driver transitions from [essentially] coasting to actually hi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2023
Hesitation/Non-linear Acceleration From a Stop. Reprogramming the ECM completely resolved the issue. This needs to be sent out to affected vehicles but I had to investigate and pretty much demand a resolution. I fear what this could later do to our engines, etc.
TOYOTA
REDUNDANT SIENNA
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 3, 2024
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
[XXX]. Location : somewhere in rural Pennsylvania. Incident ahead of me in heavy traffic. Applied brakes, more forcefully than usual. Immediately warning lights and audible alarm appeared on dash. “Service ABS system” . Was located in very rural area , no safe place to exit highway. At next exit , pulled off , brakes appeared to be functioning as normal. But dash warning lights proclaimed no A... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
While driving on the highway with FSD on, the car severely amalfunctioned with sudden deceleration at 4 separate ocassions. At 68 mph when changing lanes, the car suddenly decelerated. There were several cars behind us and it could have been a major multi car collision. At all 4 ocassions, I immediately took over control on steering and acceleration, thus avoiding any accident. This problem has ... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2018) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 2, 2024
Incident date: Apr 1, 2024
My 2018 expedition has been repaired by Ford dealership three times. The vehicle started with a hesitancy to shift into reverse then eventually a hard jerk into gear. following that, it began to hesitate to accelerate and rattle and shake hard enough to shake the steering wheel. The powertrain loss warning came on ford pass. Ford dealership said it was transmission and rebuilt it. Three weeks foll... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
On [XXX] approximately [XXX], I was in the drive-up line for Starbucks. The drive-up line was very slow so we waited for about 1/2 hour and I ended turning off my engine. I had plenty of room at least between 2-3 feet between myself and the car in the front. Then the line moved so, I put the car in Drive and covered the brake. I tapped the Gas/electric pedal and the car accelerated from 0 to 30 an... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
While I was driving, my new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe suddenly experienced issues with the digital dashboard panel and a loss of speed. The dashboard went haywire, and my speed dropped from 60 mph to approximately 25 mph on the highway. The vehicle also struggled to accelerate from a standstill. After shutting off the vehicle and waiting a few minutes, the dashboard appeared to reset, and everything r... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2022
I took my Buick enclave into the gmc dealership two years ago for an service airbag light that kept coming on. They sent me home twice saying it was just a computer issue. Now this recall is out and I asked for my car to be serviced as I’m a mother of 4 and can’t stop driving my vehicle. They said that the part isnt out yet and nothing they can do. I’m having to drive a dangerous vehicle aro... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle then failed to accelerate above 10 MPH. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the intake m... Read more
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2017) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 2, 2024
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
Code p2128 Code p2122 Have replaced TPS, THROTTLE BODY, ACCELERATOR PEDAL (×3) AND bypassed connectors WITH DIRECT WIRING from ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO ECM Continue to get codes with CHECK ENGINE LIGHT with DECREASED ENGINE POWER, CHECK STABILITRAK, and STABILITRAK DISABLED. HAVE TO CLEAR CODES WITH BLUEDRIVER MULTIPLE TIMES EVEN WHILE DRIVING SHORT DISTANCES AND SOMETIMES ON START UP.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2024) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 2, 2024
Incident date: May 20, 2024
The 2015 F150 shifted itself from drive at 60mph to 1st gear. I as leading traffic when this occurred. The rest of traffic went around me as, I went to shoulder of rd. The F150 shuttered and was unable to be steered safely off the road. Warning lights flashed but as a driver I was unable to watch as traffic behind me was more important then watching F150. As a Simi was also close to me. This was a... Read more
Incident date: Aug 10, 2023
My 2019 BMW 330i experienced a serious malfunction. The car intermittently blacked out upon pressing the start engine button, and then it began accelerating on its own without pressing the accelerator pedal. This occurred multiple times, and the issue has not been resolved or explained by the service center, which has resulted in a significant safety concern. What component or system failed or ma... Read more
Incident date: Jul 2, 2024
The instrument panel intermittently blacks out during vehicle startup or while driving. I haven't had my vehicle for 30 days and it's happened many many times, almost caused an accident due to the distraction it has caused. No warning signs prior to the screen blacking out. Service calibrated/reprogrammed the radio but issues have continued. I have several photos and videos of the numerous times t... Read more
Incident date: Jun 20, 2024
I was backing up into my parking place in an alley way. I was turning slightly to the right to fit in and the car started to accelerate. I hit the back wall with the rear of my car. I put the car into drive not realizing it was still accelerating. I had my right foot on the brake. When I put the car into drive it accelerate very quickly even with my foot on the brake and I crashed into a door gara... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and then stalled. The driver was able to pull over safely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to the thermal control valve and produced DTC codes: P2682 and P26A. The mechanic replaced the... Read more
Incident date: Mar 9, 2020
My wife was driving down the road, traction control light came on & one of the brakes locked up and she nearly avoided an accident. I took the vehicle to a local shop & they pulled a C1283 code. I was told it was part of a recall & take it to the dealership. I took it Hanania Hyundai & they told me it's not part of the recall. I have the TSB and will attach it. If my car is not part of it, I... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
So on 7/1/24 our vehicle started overheating some. And then we had the check engine light to come on along with another light that looks like a lightning bolt inside an inside out parenthesis. So I research the symbol and it came back as an issue with the Electric Throttle Control which is also means there is a problem with the electric parking brake. And then a mesage came on that said OIL TEMP H... Read more
THOR MOTOR COACH
ACE
(2023) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 2, 2024
Incident date: Jul 1, 2024
Gauge cluster completely dark. Cluster is a screen type when dark no speed visible. No warning lights available for safety feedback. Driving without speed is very dangerous mileage u known as display shows mileage.
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS CROSS SPORT
(2024) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 1, 2024
Incident date: Sep 26, 2023
The engine failed flashing a warning sign of rpm max 4000 from day 1 of me having the car. It is available for inspection. During the multiple times this has happened the car will come to a hault while driving on busy expressways of at least 70 mph. The dealer has not found a solution to the problem after at least 4 attempts.
Incident date: Jun 18, 2024
In the first month of owning my Honda Ridgeline (bought new with 5 miles on the odometer), I received TWO check engine light warnings for the same thing: "Emission system problem. Power may be reduced. See your dealer." Dealer says the problem is a part that does not shut and seal the fuel filler part, after refueling with regular gas. I brought it in after the 1st warning, and the check engine li... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2024
Cruise control does not hold speed during transition from downhill coast to uphill acceleration. If set at 70mph on an interstate and car goes down a hill, coasting may slow to 68. When uphill is immediately encountered, speed drops to 64-65mph before finally accelerating to 70. Many trucks get very close and some honk because of the slowdown. Some road rage has been received. Also, throt... Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2023
In 2022, while behind the wheel of my 2015 F150, I would be driving down the highway (70+ mph) and the transmission would suddenly downshift to 1st gear, then jump to 3rd, and then back down to first gear, all over the place. This happened on several occasions. It was erratic, I experienced sudden changes in speed, sudden and frightening revving of the engine (especially on the highway) and on sev... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
ABS AND LSC WARNING LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL KICKS OFF. WARNING BELL DINGS OFF AND ON. CHECKED AND MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEM
Incident date: Apr 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while stopped, the engine was idling rough. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle was slow to respond and then jolted forward. While driving, reversing, or at a stop, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failu... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2018
I am writing to formally notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of a significant concern regarding Fisker Automotive’s failure to meet the deadline for a mandated recall and their neglect in providing me with a recall notice. As an owner of a Fisker Ocen One, I was made aware through Facebook that my vehicle was subject to a recall due to Incorrectly Displayed Warning Lights/... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2019) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 1, 2024
Incident date: Feb 15, 2024
Three times in the last year while driving north on interstate 91 coming down a long steep hill entering the town of Springfield, Vermont while my f-150 was in cruise control traveling at 70 mph the transmission has down shifted all by itself to fifth gear without me touching anything. I have not taken it to my local dealer as they want to charge me 135.00 dollars per hour just to look at it. Also... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2024
This incident just happened around 9:50pm. I have a 2024 ioniq 6 SEL with 2900 miles. I lost power to my motor while going below 45 mph. The gage that shows acceleration and recharge, zeroed out, showing absolutely nothing. Once I came to a complete stop, I had to restart the car for the accelerator to work. I am on 37% charge. This is not a low charge. There were no warning lights or sounds. I ha... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2024
After starting the vehicle at a motel in the morning, and backing out of the parking spot, I put the vehicle in drive and gave it a little bit of gas (wheel cranked to the left to finish turning out of the spot), and the vehicle rapidly accelerated across the parking lot. I hit the brakes and the vehicle stopped accelerating. I looked down to see the cruise control set to 15 Mph and crossed out ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 13, 2024
On [XXX] @ 8:45 pm my vehicle was at a stop light. I started to go forward and hill assist start notification came up as vehicle turned back on from sitting idle due to the ecosport design. As slowly accelerating the wrench icon came on, check engine light came on. Vehicle lost power and speed dropped to less than 5 miles an hour. I had to floor the gas pedal to get enough speed to switch lanes an... Read more
Incident date: Jun 5, 2024
Second time reporting for the third instance Dealer says nothing is wrong but I have a video when car speeds up and doesn’t stop when removing my foot for acceleration Car keeps moving and it’s hard to stop unless I slam on brake This is occasionally instance but when it happens it’s highly risk for havug accident With kids I don’t feel safe
Incident date: Jun 14, 2024
Vehicle is exhibiting issues consistent with the recalled lead frame part on previous year models, despite my 2016 having the same transmission as they do. Truck will randomly downshift into first at slower speeds causing engine to rev very high and not want to shift into next gear. Often times it will get “stuck” in 3rd gear even when coming to a complete stop and leaving a stop in 3rd still.... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
Dead pedal/no acceleration when pedal was depressed. Monday, June 24th, 7:26am zero throttle when taking off from stop light. Delay of 2-3 seconds. Wednesday, June 19th, 5:14pm. Zero throttle response when taking off from a green light. Delay of 3-4 seconds. 3:06pm June 28, zero throttle response for 2 seconds when taking off from stop light. 3:15 pm same thing happened. - Personal safet... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and then decelerated independently, surging several times before returning to normal functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch. The contact was informed that the clutch needed... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2024
Truck was exiting highway driver tried to disengage cruise control, would not disengage. Driver put truck in neutral to slow down truck but didnt slow down enough to avoid accident. Driver and passenger are in hospital with several injuries. The air bags did not deploy during accident. Insurance is inspecting vehicle.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
Car is almost stalling Randomly on the highway . The rpm’s go up and car won’t speed up slows down . Stalls very randomly I am terrified to drive it , I used to have so much confidence on a newer Hyundai .
Incident date: Jun 24, 2024
Battery drains extremely fast Car stalls in hybrid and electric mode, multiple times daily Must floor pedal to get the car moving, then the electric light blinks Warnings keep coming up on dashboard to Service Hybrid Mode Electric Temporarily Unavailable keeps going on and off Heated seats and steering wheel barely get hot Speakers do not work on left side
Incident date: May 20, 2024
AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR (OSS) IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY RESULT IN AN UNINTENDED DOWNSHIFT TO FIRST GEAR.
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLS 450
(2019) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jun 28, 2024
Incident date: Jun 14, 2024
When driving on the highway at around 76 mph, the vehicle suddenly presents power loss and won't accelerate nor rev even if I step into the pedal all the way (No light in the dashboard). Going in the high speed lane, I had to stop in the shoulder lane and turn off the vehicle. After turning it on again, a couple of minutes later the problem was back. This would be the third time I have had the pro... Read more
Incident date: Mar 25, 2024
On [XXX] I purchased a 2006 Honda Odyssey from DFW cash cars LLC 325 N RIVERSIDE DRIVE fort Worth Texas and the dealer gdn is p167677 the VIN number for the vehicle is [XXX] WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE I NOTICED IT WAS MAKING A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM AND THEY SAID EVEN WITH THE WARRANTY I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE IF THERE WAS A WARRANTY BUT THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHIN... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2024
To whom it may concern, As a proud owner of a 2018 Ford F-150 with the 5.0 V8 and 10-speed transmission, I have recently been facing significant shifting issues with my truck. These issues occur at various times during my ride, making my daily commute a stressful experience. The transmission shifting slams into gear and downshifts from 8 or 9 to first gear, disrupting the smooth operation of my v... Read more
Incident date: Jun 27, 2024
Car would not drive faster than 25 mph. Check engine light on codes p1326 and p0014. Not eligible for ki engine settlement but have the same issue..
Incident date: Jun 21, 2024
While vehicle was driving in motion, all system error messages began to sequence on the dashboard (Steering Assist Fault Service Required, Check Park Aid, See Manual, Service AdvanceTrac, Front Camera Fault Service Required, Full Accessory Power Active, Park Brake Fault Service Now, Pre-Collision Assist Not Available, Navigation Fault). Vehicle lost acceleration and had decreased steering and brak... Read more
Incident date: Jun 26, 2024
In the dashboard, EPS (Electronic Power Steering), VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist), ABS (Anti Lock Brake system), and BRAKE lights would turn on and off Intermittently. The lights could turn on starting the car in the morning or after driven for some time, for short period of time - 15 minutes to long period of time - 60 minutes. When these lights are on initially, a clank could be typically heard.... Read more
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
My 2023 ID.4 is riddled with electrical problems. MY ID.4 keeps stalling and is going tomorrow for a 3rd time to be looked at for this issue. My screens and speedometer blackout while driving frequently. 2 weeks ago I had every error on my instrument cluster screen (all systems were disabled including ABS, collision, etc), the car door locks were disabled, the radio screen was black, and speedo... Read more
Incident date: Jun 21, 2024
Car lunged forward when lightly stepping on the gas while making a turn onto a busy street. Then it later lagged in responding when I stepped on the gas. About 5 minutes later, the car dashboard lit up and said there was a transmission error. Mechanic's diagnosis found code P0756 for a shift solenoid B stuck off. The car is unsafe to drive.
Incident date: Jun 25, 2024
These two failure types for 4 incidents may involve 3 components or 1 or 2 of the ADAS; Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking (Certainly,) and Forward Collision Warning: The first incident was at town speed when a vehicle to the immediate front right slowed to depart the turn land into a driveway, and my vehicle slowed abruptly, although the other was not in my path. A subsequent ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH with the Snow Mode activated, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal failure only occurred while driving with the Snow Mode feature activated. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where i... Read more
MITSUBISHI
OUTLANDER
(2022) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jun 27, 2024
Incident date: Jun 24, 2024
Persistent issue where the vehicle will loose all power to brakes, engine, instrument cluster and infotainment. This issue has almost caused 2 crashes out of the 3 occasions in which it has occurred. When the issue happens all power is lost as if the car were rolling in neutral while off, no indication of what is wrong or anything of the sort. It happened on the highway going about 65 mph, was abl... Read more