Component
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
6,676 NHTSA complaints about forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control issues across 47 makes and 436 models.
The forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 6,676 filings from 47 manufacturers and 436 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 278 crashes, 23 fires, 242 injuries, and 102 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the TESLA MODEL Y with 1,181 filings, followed by TESLA MODEL 3 and HONDA ODYSSEY. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TESLA MODEL Y | 1,181 |
| 2 | TESLA MODEL 3 | 1,151 |
| 3 | HONDA ODYSSEY | 319 |
| 4 | TESLA MODEL S | 210 |
| 5 | HONDA ACCORD | 192 |
| 6 | HONDA CR-V | 190 |
| 7 | HONDA PILOT | 133 |
| 8 | RAM 2500 | 117 |
| 9 | TESLA MODEL X | 111 |
| 10 | HONDA CIVIC | 88 |
| 11 | FORD MUSTANG MACH E | 85 |
| 12 | SUBARU OUTBACK | 81 |
| 13 | FORD F-150 | 79 |
| 14 | VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 | 68 |
| 15 | RAM 1500 | 64 |
| 16 | ACURA MDX | 52 |
| 17 | VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS | 51 |
| 18 | FORD EXPLORER | 49 |
| 19 | FISKER OCEAN | 47 |
| 20 | SUBARU FORESTER | 45 |
| 21 | HYUNDAI SANTA FE | 43 |
| 22 | FORD ESCAPE | 42 |
| 23 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 38 |
| 24 | HYUNDAI ELANTRA | 37 |
| 25 | HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 | 34 |
| 26 | RAM 3500 | 33 |
| 27 | NISSAN ROGUE | 32 |
| 28 | HYUNDAI TUCSON | 31 |
| 29 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 30 |
| 30 | GMC SIERRA 1500 | 29 |
Recent Complaints
left-most lane of a three-lane highway, I pressed the accelerator to maintain the flow of traffic. The vehicle suddenly began revving between 4,000â5,000 RPM without increasing speed. When I attempt
Onstar module stopped working
On Saturday, February 7th, at approximately 1:00 PM, I was involved in a high-impact rear-end collision while driving cautiously with Adaptive Cruise Control and driver assistance systems activated, m
I was driving with the car in Autopilot in the center lane of the highway. I could see a white vehicle move close on my right, and I confirmed that it had crossed over into my lane with both its front
Car flashes "service driver assist system". Took to dealer and they referenced PIT6455 which states GM is still investigating the issue. Truck was returned to me - very concerning to have truck saying
am writing to formally report a serious safety issue with my Volkswagen Atlas. The SOS system is malfunctioning, and as a result, I am unable to use cruise control. The vehicle is displaying system er
On January 28, 2026, the vehicle (a Tesla Model Y) was operating with the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system actively engaged in normal highway traffic conditions. Without any prior warning messages, chim
The multifunction ADAS camera module failed due to "Internal Error" at only 9 years old. This means that critical safety systems such as automatic emergency braking/lane keep assist malfunctioned and
On at least 8 occasions, the vehicle has issued a warning to take control now of the vehicle and then begun to stop the vehicle. On 2/16/26, it tried to stop the vehicle on two occasions, and the dri
The multipurpose camera that works to provide all the safety features failed In less than 8 years. These should be lasting for the life of the vehicle. There should be a recall for this.
Since the release of V14, the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system automatically defaults to operating approximately 7 MPH above the posted speed limit. This occurs on all road types, including city streets
The attached photos show several instances where the carâs safety systems failed. These cases have been erratic, and begin and end frequently. The car is under warranty, but my dealer cannot discern
The car showed a message that there is a system error and many warning lights came on, including the check engine light. Most of the warning lights indicated that many of the car's ADAS functions w
Engine failure
On two separate long trips (over 4,000 miles total in recent months), the adaptive cruise control system has failed while driving on the freeway. This is the most dangerous situation I have ever exper
While the cruise is set, traveling on I44 with no other car in front of my Kona, the adaptive cruise control will start to flash and apply brakes immediately. The speed will drop instantly. Thankfully
Car software automatic update and sensor stuff not workin at all when some thing happen & Dealer Canât fix that problem need to priority service from NHTSA
There is no checkbox for Full Self Driving (Supervised): 3 times in the last 4 weeks, my Tesla has become impatient at long red lights and lurches out into the intersection. I am very concerned becaus
On December 30th, 2025, my wife experienced a serious and unexpected safety event while using Autosteer in one of our Tesla Model Y cars (we own two of them). The version of the vehicle software in us
All light come on brake system, ACC, road migration, collision migration, hill start assist problem, Vehicle stability system, electrical power steering, and it will not go when at a light. Almost cau
Related Vehicle Components
Learn More
Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control issues? ▼
How dangerous are forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control problems? ▼
Where does PlainCars get its safety data? ▼
Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.