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 129,250 complaints - component: AIR BAGS
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
Air bags did not deploy and assist button did not work
Crash
VOLKSWAGEN
ID.4
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Jan 12, 2025
Incident date: May 1, 2024
The WUM-98 recall fix did not address the problem with the front passenger occupancy detection system. We, and many other Subaru Forester owners are continuing to experience problems post recall repair with the SRS Airbag light on, indicating error code B1760 "Occupant Detection Sensor Mat" failure. Subaru is not covering the cost of addressing this problem, and the entire seat frame and bottom cu... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
Toyota issued a preliminary recall in December 2023. I visited my dealership in January 2024, where I purchased my car and learned that there was no fix. Given I use my car to transport my twin babies, I asked for a loaner since they confirmed (at that time) that my car would have a fix later in 2024. I repeatedly checked in on the vehicle and to date, there is no fix. I am paying my car note and ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2025
Unknown: traction control light, air bag light, cruis control, horn, are not functioning properly and i believe it is the clock spring. Not sure if it was part of a recall previously.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAGS, Toyota has taken way too long to fix a possible major safety problem with the airbag system!
Incident date: Jan 10, 2025
Purchased a brand new 2022 tucson. Within 2 months it went to the dealer with about 7 dash fault lights turning on (abs, Air bag, lane assist, check engine, just to name a few) and breaks engage on their own. Stayed at the dealership for over 2 months while they had the Hyundai engineers try to figure out the issue. They gave it back to me and said it was a connector in the rear door. The vehicle ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2024
I was involved in a motor vehicle accident. My airbags failed to deploy & I received a notification through my Chevrolet app on my phone, right after the accident stating “your 2023 Camaro airbag system has an issue. Schedule service”. My safety belt system also states there is an issue detected and to schedule service.
Crash
Incident date: Jan 11, 2025
"service air bag" light is illuminated. Deal states the replacement part is out of production. Apparently, this is a relative common problem with this vehicle. The illumination of the warning light indicates the air bag system is not working.
Incident date: Oct 25, 2024
Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked at it and recommended replacing it. This is a very common issue.
Incident date: Dec 25, 2024
[XXX] . I have a 2006 BMW e91, but mine is not listed for recall above in the link. Currently have a fault for occupant detection malfunction. I also have sports seats listed in the above document. The sensor will say active when no one is sitting in the seat which is a safety concern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Jan 10, 2025
Incident date: Dec 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that after stopping and parking the vehicle, the vehicle failed to turn off. The contact's fiancée arrived on the scene and was able to turn off the vehicle; however, the vehicle later failed to restart, and the gear shifter seized. The message "Gear Lever Lock" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 10, 2025
There is an open recall on 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid since Feb 2024. The authorized dealer/manufacturer is delaying the remedy stating the parts are not available yet. The details of the recall Date: Feb 01,2024 Manufacturer Recall Number: KHO NHTSA Recall Number: 24V-064 Recall Status: Recall Incomplete
Incident date: Dec 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The... Read more
Incident date: Nov 21, 2024
The steering wheel clockspring mechanism has failed causing the vehicle steering wheel operated controls (including the horn) to stop working. The airbag warning lamp illuminated on the dashboard, indicating the airbag system may not be functional. Apparently Volkswagen has issued a recall/extended the warranty on many VW models in light of the high failure rate of the clockspring mechanism, howe... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2024
My 2003 Honda Accord Coupe was struck by an SUV/crossover, after the other driver ran a red light, and I tried, but was unable to avoid the accident. My car was stuck at or in front of my driver's side front wheel. My car was totaled by my insurance company, and "no fault" was decided by both insurance companies because they and the police were unable determine who was at fault. My driver's se... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driver's side air bag warning light continued to blink on and off. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V521000(AIR BAGS, ELECTRIC... Read more
Incident date: Dec 3, 2024
The adjustment on the steering column for telescopic/up/down adjustments doesn't hold the steering wheel in place, even under light pressure like trying to honk the horn, the column just pushes in. Since the column cannot stay in place under light pressure, it won't stay in place if the driver's airbag is deployed possibly causing severe injury or death. I first noticed this problem back in 2015, ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2023
I was in a front end collision with a deer. Upon impact there was heavy damage to my front end and smoke coming from my engine bay. Within minutes a fire started and only a couple minutes later the entire car was engulfed. No airbags deployed during the accident, there was no collision detected by smartlink and I wasn't even notified of any issues by starlink until the car was completely burnt do... Read more
Crash
Fire
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
Sunroof leaking into front driver & passenger pillars with airbags. Dealership quotes $6k to fix, but they didn’t know where / how it’s leaking!! There are no drain lines in this model, so it’s just a leak into the air bags plain and simple. This is a manufacturer issue- if no drain lines / weep holes, then why do you have to replace a $6k sunroof to fix an $50 seal / gasket? Very Unsat. ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The passenger seat sensor intermittently turns on and off as indicated by the warning light on the dashboard and the "passenger airbag on off" light indicating it is off when an adult passenger is sitting in the seat. This put the passenger at risk of serious injury if a collision would have occurred or could occur. I took my car to the dealership on January 1, 2025 where they inspected the vehicl... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2024
Light keeps coming up for restraint warning for airbags not working properly
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
I purchased this vehicle on October 22, 2024, with the expectation that it met the highest safety standards, including a dependable airbag system designed to protect occupants during collisions. However, on December 23, 2024, I was involved in a major collision where the airbags failed to deploy despite the severity of the impact. The damage to the vehicle was so extensive that it has been declare... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
Had a collision with another vehicle and my airbags never deployed. The other vehicles airbags did deploy.
Crash
Incident date: Aug 13, 2018
The recall on the passenger airbags for Toyota cars has not been resolved for a few years now. We owned a 2013 Rav4 for a few years and that airbag was never fixed. Now we own a 2021 Toyota Highlander with the same problem. What's Toyota going to do about it? My husband drives the car so I'm the passenger and I don't feel like dying. ?"???
Incident date: Jan 4, 2021
EL EMBLEMA DE RESINA EN LA CUBIERTA DEL MÓDULO AIRBAG DEL CONDUCTOR EN LOS VEHÍCULOS AFECTADOS PUEDE TENER DURABILIDAD REDUCIDA DEBIDO A POSIBLES VARIACIONES EN EL PROCESO DE PRODUCCIÓN DEL PROVEEDOR. EN ESTA CONDICIÓN, CON EL TIEMPO, LOS POSTES DEL EMBLEMA PUEDEN DESARROLLAR GRIETAS, Y EL EMBLEMA Y LOS COMPONENTES DE RETENCIÓN PODRÍAN DESPRENDERSE EN CASO DE QUE SE DESPLIEGUE EL AIRBAG.
Incident date: Oct 15, 2024
EL EMBLEMA DE RESINA EN LA CUBIERTA DEL MÓDULO AIRBAG DEL CONDUCTOR EN LOS VEHÍCULOS AFECTADOS PUEDE TENER DURABILIDAD REDUCIDA DEBIDO A POSIBLES VARIACIONES EN EL PROCESO DE PRODUCCIÓN DEL PROVEEDOR. EN ESTA CONDICIÓN, CON EL TIEMPO, LOS POSTES DEL EMBLEMA PUEDEN DESARROLLAR GRIETAS, Y EL EMBLEMA Y LOS COMPONENTES DE RETENCIÓN PODRÍAN DESPRENDERSE EN CASO DE QUE SE DESPLIEGUE EL AIRBAG.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2020
Los vehículos están instalados con infladores de bolsas de aire de cortina, ubicados a lo largo del techo sobre las puertas delanteras y traseras, que pueden romperse debido a un defecto de fabricación no especificado, dijeron los reguladores.
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
Honda continues to repair recalls. They have repeatedly told me I can schedule the recall repair and their broken app says I can schedule my airbag recall repair. But, the Honda dealers in San Diego say Honda refuses to send them parts and there is a 4-5 year delay for repairs. And that they have this issue with Honda for numerous other open years old recalls, no parts. The HondaLink app and ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2022
Seat warning module failed. When unbuckling seatbelt car does not recognize you unbuckled, therefore the airbag system does not recognize which seats are occupied. This would also cause a safety concern as you do not have to buckle the seatbelt with no warning or alert there is an issue. Car has been at Ford dealer for service for a month with them failing to find any other vehicle that they can r... Read more
Incident date: Jan 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was m... Read more
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Jan 8, 2025
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the temperature gauge began to indicate the vehicle was overheating after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independen... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2025
I was rear ended at a high rate of speed, causing me to fly down a 15 foot embankment, where I sideswiped a telephone pole. The latter causing damage to the passenger side front quarter panel. The airbag did not deploy after either impact, nor did the seatbelt stop me from hitting the steering wheel multiple times.
Crash
1 injured
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLA 250
(2018) - AIR BAGS
Jan 8, 2025
Incident date: Nov 8, 2024
Toyota informed us of defective OCS sensors on NHTSA recall No. 23V-865 in 2023. There has since been no remedy nor further notice from Toyota for even an inspection. Dealer claims to be waiting on manufacturer still today 1/8/25, 1343.
POLARIS
SLINGSHOT S
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Jan 8, 2025
Incident date: Dec 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the failure could be duplicated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufactu... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2025
The contact owned a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH the vehicle crashed into the rear passenger side of a second vehicle that had abruptly stopped. During the crash, the vehicle sustained severe front-end damage but the air bags did not deploy. The contact indicated that the front driver's side door had to be removed in order to be removed from the vehi... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
Upon entering a light controlled intersection at a relatively slow speed (probably less than 20 mph} on wet pavement, an oncoming car suddenly made a left turn directly in front of me. I applied the applied the breaks hard and slid into the passenger side of the turning vehicle. The ABS system did not function. The air bag did not deploy. At the moment of the collision my speed was reduced and ... Read more
Crash
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2021) - AIR BAGS
Jan 8, 2025
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
Front Passenger occupant seat sensor failure warning code oc3
Incident date: Dec 29, 2024
I received an onboard alert that says ‘Safety Restraint System Issue/Service is required.’ According to online Tesla Forums, this is a very common issue with the Model 3 drivers side air bag system. Although some relate it to a wire under the seat that becomes worn with movement of the seat, Tesla gives an estimate of over $1,000 to fix the problem. There repair estimate involves updating the ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2025
during a hydroplaning incident on a ramp, the tesla refused to budge or give any steer. Major issue was no air bags deployed during collision.
Crash
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID
(2023) - AIR BAGS
Jan 7, 2025
Incident date: Oct 24, 2024
I was getting ready to leave my home and both front airbags deployed on me, which also resulted in my windshield breaking. I did not hit anything with the vehicle. I then looked up the VIN and noticed the 2 open recalls one is for the airbags, I contacted BMW left the service manager numerous voicemails he never returned any of my calls. Then I contacted BMW North America, I got the vehicle towed ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 1, 2024
I was involved in a front end collision [XXX] that caused my vehicle to be totaled and me to be transported to the hospital via an ambulance. I purchased the vehicle with the understanding that it had numerous safety features including airbags throughout. During this accident my impact completely crumpled my engine compartment and left portions of my engine were left lying around. The only air... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 7, 2025
The vehicle airbag warning light 'SRS' displays randomly. We paid almost $200 for a diagnosis and have been told the passenger airbag needs to be replaced at a cost of $800. The Diagnostic code is B0020-13 "open or increased resistance in the left side airbag inflator". I have contacted Honda and they denied any 'good will' service to replace it due to the age and mileage of the car. We drive... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the iss... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (AIR BAGS) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Incident date: Sep 15, 2024
On [XXX] I was driving in the City of Tampa. Stopped the vehicle to make a left turn, waiting for oncoming traffic to clear. Without any warning the vehicle sped off at a high speed at crashed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash
FORD
F-150 HYBRID
(2022) - AIR BAGS
Jan 7, 2025
Incident date: Dec 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issu... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.