Radiator Springs Racers has gone dark at Disney California Adventure Park following a guest’s account of a collision between two ride vehicles, raising questions about the Disneyland Resort attraction’s condition.
A Firsthand Account of the Crash
The incident came to light after Reddit user u/nogluten_shark posted a photo on September 29 documenting the aftermath of a crash on Radiator Springs Racers. The Southern California Disney Park guest explained they had been riding in the yellow car when it abruptly stopped, causing the red car behind them to slam into it.
Cars crash
According to the guest, Disney cast members didn’t pause to check on anyone’s well-being following the crash. Instead, riders were quickly moved into replacement vehicles and sent on their way to continue the experience uninterrupted.
“We were in yellow when the car came to a sudden stop and car behind hit us pretty good,” the Reddit user wrote. “When they came to get us out of the car, not one employee asked how we were (assuming for liability?). They just got us in other cars and away we went.”
Fans Split on How Serious the Incident Really Was
The post generated a mix of reactions online. Some commenters worried that the collision indicated a deeper maintenance issue with the attraction. Radiator Springs Racers most recently underwent refurbishment between August 18 and September 26, 2025, and currently has no further maintenance closures listed on Disneyland Resort’s official operational calendar.
“That’s a sign of sensors and something more serious needing replacement,” u/Foe117 commented. “The ride is unable to track cars at this point.”
“Welp that explains a lot about the current state of the attraction,” u/Alwayscooking345 wrote. “Yikes.”
Others suggested the situation wasn’t as unusual as it seemed. “When my wife and I did a behind-the-scenes tour for this ride, they said it happens more often than people think and they call it ‘kissing,'” u/Netherium wrote.
That explanation didn’t sit well with the Southern California Disney Park guest who experienced the crash firsthand.
“Interesting. Maybe that’s why they seemed so unconcerned. Same ole same ole to them,” they replied. “Did not feel like a kiss.”
Current Status of the Attraction
As of publication, the Disneyland Resort app lists Radiator Springs Racers as “temporarily closed,” though it’s unclear whether the closure is directly tied to the reported collision.
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